Be part of the solution to ending child abuse by involving your community!
The Green Bear Project’s philosophy is to assist the community, as a whole, in taking steps to instill more accountability and openness regarding prevention, disclosure and reporting of child victimization. It is imperative communities recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse and hold abusers accountable for their actions. The following are Missouri’s statutes/guidelines created to protect children.
All programs created by The Green Bear Project are provided FREE of charge.Â
The first step in creating a community free of child abuse is through education of individuals. After individuals are educated on how to prevent child abuse in their family, they can collaborate with others to combat child abuse on an organizational and community level. With that goal in mind. Green Bear Educators have created Green Bear Guidelines for individuals to learn ways to assist in defining abuse to children, different deterrent/prevention efforts that can be utilized to prevent abuse from occurring, learning the characteristics of perpetrators, and assisting children in disclosing as well as understanding the important of follow-up care such as counseling after a child discloses abuse. The following Green Bear Guidelines can be downloaded and shared with adults in schools, faith-based entities, or other organizations.
- Green Bear Guidelines
- Green Bear Guidelines for Teens
Missouri Revised Statutes RSMo 160.261, 210 110.165
According to Missouri’s School Board Association, each school in Missouri is now responsible to arrange for training and information necessary to assist staff members in identifying possible instances of child abuse and neglect. Each school is also responsible for implementing a planned program of personal safety and awareness education, including methods for preventing sexual abuse, that shall be provided to teachers, students and parents/guardians.
A Guide for Mandated Reporters: Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse provides a two hour training for Missouri’s mandated reporters. This program can be performed for a private institution such as a school, organization or a faith-based entity, or at a community event. For more information on this program, click here.
If a child discloses abuse, just remember, I CARE!
If a child discloses abuse, they are trusting you with a life-altering secret. Only about 30% of children who have been sexually abused disclose the abuse to someone who can help them. If a child tells you they have been sexually abused, always remember, I CARE!
For more information, click on the following Green Bear Guidelines:
Mental Health Safety and Reporting Abuse
Additional Resources
If you have contacted Missouri’s Children’s Division and feel that your concerns have not been addressed, below are some additional resources by county:
Bollinger County | Cape Girardeau County | Dunklin County |
Mississippi County | New Madrid County | Pemiscot County |
Perry County | Scott County | Stoddard County |