Former Husker Advocates for Child Abuse Awareness in Athletics

This may be a bit of a heavier subject than normal. Usually, I like to focus on topics that are uplifting and positive. However, this is going to be more serious and maybe even darker. April is National Child Abuse Prevention month. Why write about it now? The timing is right, and this is something that is very close to my heart. Bringing awareness of this is something that must be done.

At this time, there are many children who are suffering from abuse. According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, there are almost eight million children involved with abuse reports. However, only 3.4 million receive help. That is staggering. For whatever reason, less than half of the children reported for being abused receive help.

This was something that was also on the heart of former Husker Jeremiah Sirles. He has been passionate about bringing up awareness on this subject for a long time. It was something that touched his heart specifically as abuse within sports is incredibly prevalent. According to Safe Sport, 40 to 50 percent of children playing sports have experienced abuse. Sirles is especially outspoken:. “There is a form of mistrust that occurs with abuse that needs to be talked about.”

Sirles has also spoken about the signs of abuse in sports, for example, being withdrawn or not wanting to go to practice on a frequent basis and making excuses. Sirles said that based on the amount of trust parents place into the coaches of sports and events, it is extremely easy for that trust to be used and children to be abused.

Abuse affects through schools, colleges and life after. Abuse is something that is carried through the rest of the lives of those directly affected. Because of this, it must be spoken about. If you have been abused, you are not alone. There are people who love you. If you know of someone potentially being abused or you are a victim of abuse, the number for the abuse hotline is 800-422-4453.

TJ Pittinger is a junior

theology major from

Gilson, Ill.