Public Speaking
Child Abuse Prevention Month Press Conference
Sara's speech at a press conference at the Capitol. She appeared with personnel from the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
I’m honored to be here today as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month with DPRS.
Although I’m mainly known as a musician, for the last 15 years I have been involved in human rights on many different levels—as a volunteer, a coordinator or a fund-raiser. Today, I would like to say that every single person in our community—whether locally, nationally, and even universally—should be committed to making the world a safer, healthier place for OUR children. And I don’t use the word “our” lightly. All children are “our” children. Every child you see is an extension of yourself.
The children we allow to be abused come back to haunt us tomorrow, and in turn go on to haunt their own children. This cycle must stop.
There is no time left.
Right now is the moment when you need to choose to get involved.
All over Texas, as in the rest of the world, children are suffering from neglect, abuse, violence, drugs, fear, abandonment. These children are in immediate need of someone to step in on their behalf and save them. And you are the one who can do it. If you know of a child who is crying out for help, and you don’t step in, who will?
Many children could be saved from a life of abuse—with one simple phone call that you can make.
Perhaps you don’t think there is a way for you to get involved here in our community. For some people, providing a foster home is their way of getting involved.
But not everyone can be a foster parent. Here are some brief ideas on how you can help:
Many children need a mentor—become a Big Brother or Sister.
Get involved at your local schools by reading to kids and helping them with homework.
Do you have questions on how to become a better parent? Take a parenting class or take time to get some counseling. There is no shame in wanting to become a better parent—in fact, it’s a step that should be heralded more often.
If you have children, find out what your children would like to do more of WITH you, and spend time doing that...it could be reading, swinging in the hammock, going for walks. Turn off the TV and put together a puzzle. I call this “memory” time because it is a chance to build happy memories for you and your children.
Visit the web site itsuptoyou.org, which is full of other resources and ideas, including parenting tips, activities for children and their parents, and volunteering ideas around Texas.
Finally, I need to talk with you about something that truly bothers me. Last year alone I witnessed fifteen to twenty different incidents of children traveling in cars without car seats. The ironic part of these sightings were the parents—who WERE WEARING SEATBELTS THEMSELVES. Two-thirds of these sightings I approached the driver of the car and talked to them about the importance of car seats. In an attempt to make an immediate difference, I have started carrying car seats in my van to hand out to the parents I can convince to accept one.
You’ve heard much of this before. But I implore you.
We have to educate one another. We have to get to know our neighbors and return to a time of caring. We have to let children know that there are adults who are available to them in a time of need.
Take the time to figure out what you can do—right now—to make the difference in a child’s life. I promise you years from now you will see the result of the seeds you sow.
On behalf of my children and children everywhere, thank you.
