Advocates Call Attention to Child Abuse Protection

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- April is child abuse prevention month and to call attention to the problem, Oklahomans gathered on the lawn outside the state capital building Tuesday.

The speakers called out state lawmakers for not doing enough to protect children.

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said lawmakers aren't doing enough, and is worried more children will die at the hands of abusers if prevention isn't a priority.

"The Healing Fields is dedicated to the hope that one day we will have a celebration like this without any need for flags that represent the death of one child caused by child abuse," said Judge Barbara Swinton of the Oklahoma County District Court.

Over 1,000 American flags lined the lawn, each represents a child that has died from abuse.

The Healing Field is a way to grab the public's attention to a subject that most shy away from.

"Child abuse touches society in such a dark manner nobody wants to talk about it," Swinton said.

Swinton, the organizer of the event, wants to talk about it.

"In Oklahoma alone, we had 60,000 potential cases reported abuse that were investigated and about 14,000 were actually confirmed," Swinton said.

Last year alone, 32 Oklahoma children died. It's an unacceptable number for those who prosecute the abusers.

"Putting parents in prison after they've harmed their children or murdered their children will not do anything for that child they harmed or killed," Prater said.

Prater voiced his disappointment in state lawmakers for not doing more to protect the innocent victims.

"If you were to go to the Capitol right now and go to the room, if they had a room designated for the bills that were being presented to protect children, it would be empty and you would hear crickets chirping," Prater said.

Supporters of this cause believe prevention is key, and would like to see lawmakers appropriate more funds for programs to offer parenting education and support groups.

Lawmakers are working on a bill that will require emergency responders, such as EMSA, to report suspected abuse and turn over all documentation to DHS.