Crystal Collins-Camargo. Photo courtesy of Louisville Courier-Journal.

Cheers to Kentucky social worker Crystal Collins-Camargo for this column that says the entire community, and not just social workers, must get involved to end child abuse and neglect.

Collins-Carmargo is an assistant professor at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work. She wrote this column, which appeared in the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Collins-Carmargo said child abuse can happen in any family and social workers work tirelessly to address this problem despite limited resources.

Instead of pointing fingers when a child abuse, neglect, or death incident is reported, Collins-Camargo said everyone is to blame. She urged the public to get involved to prevent such crimes by pushing for policies and legislation to ensure all families have adequate resources, including jobs and education.

Among other things, people also should reach out to struggling young parents and report any suspected incidences of child abuse, she wrote.

“None of us want children to be abused and neglected,” Collins-Camargo  said. “Sometimes, though, we are complacent and look to others to take care of it.”

Social workers help families overcome life’s hurdles. To learn more visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Kids and Families website by clicking here.