Communication Speech

Emily Gabel

COM 101-103

Child Advocates Speech

4/26/15

Neglect is the second major problem of child abuse in Southwest Missouri. Every person should have a right to live how he or she wants as long as it doesn't infringe on another person’s life. If there’s a child being neglected, then their rights are not being upheld, as they should be and this serves as a reason of why neglect is so wrong Just imagine, to a parent your child is above all the most important thing in your life, knowing that who would want to do something so cruel? Today I am here to discuss with you why child neglect is a major problem, how it affects so many children, and how we can prevent further neglect from happening.

Neglect and maltreatment of children in southwest Missouri is a reoccurring problem. In those situations typically the children think they did something to deserve them being treated poorly. They don’t understand what is really going on. According to dss.mo.gov, 56% of families involved had adequate living conditions. So even if it looks like their being treated while there’s a good chance that they aren't. And 78% of child neglect was fatal.

It effects the child in so many ways. Whether it’s their well-being, health, or emotions. They live in fear when they shouldn't have to. It is making a huge impact on there lives. They should be taught right from wrong and to not live in fear. There needs to be more child safety and understanding being taught to them so they can get away from the stress and fear that goes with their situations.

With that being said, prevention of child neglect is something we should all take part in. There are so many ways you can further prevent neglect. First of all just be more aware and report any sightings that you might see, nothing should go unseen because it could be a little part of a major problem that youre seeing. Another way is to join groups to help there are so many organizations out there that need all the volunteers they can get. And last of all, just have a better education on neglect and know that it is happening all the time. If you contribute in any of these things I know with your help we can make a change for these children and future children.

I have now told you about neglect and why it’s a huge problem, how it effects children, and what you can do to prevent it. I hope that you toke something from this and just knowing that I know that we can all make a difference to prevent such a horrible thing from happening to these innocent children. Sometimes it only takes one person to make such a huge difference. Now Taylor will talk about punishments for the perpetrators of these acts.