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National Child Abuse Prevention Month
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| National Child Abuse Prevention Month |
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 April
is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Most parents want to do what is best for their children.
But frustration, inexperience, mental health issues and stressful conditions
and hardships can make raising healthy, confident children difficult.
Research has shown that parents and caretakers that have a network of
accessible resources and support are more likely to provide safe and healthy
homes for their children. These resources can take the form of supportive
personal relationships, stress management skills, childhood development
education, financial aid, food, shelter or childcare. When these resources
are unavailable a well-intentioned parent may make poor decisions that
can lead to abuse or neglect.
To help prevent child abuse and neglect, schools, family
service centers, pediatricians, and family support programs can help to
ensure that parents have access to the tools, resources, knowledge and
skills to:
- Understand what is typical behavior for children at different
ages
- Communicate calmly and clearly with children
- Set clear and realistic boundaries for children
- Correct and redirect children without losing control
- Handle stress in positive ways, including reaching out to friends,
family, and community resources for support
- Have confidence in their own abilities as parents
There are many factors that strengthen families and reduce the risk of
abuse and neglect. Communities need to be active in promoting these factors
as another way to prevent child abuse. Protective factors include:
- Parental resilience
- Nurturing and attachment
- Social connections
- Knowledge of parenting and child development
- Effective problem solving and communication skills
- Concrete support in times of need
- Social and emotional competence of children
- Healthy marriages
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| Community Solutions |
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Every person in our community has a stake in protecting
the children around them. Surround a child with secure relationships and
stimulating experiences, and he will incorporate that environment to become
a confident, caring adult, ready to be part of society. But if he is surrounded
by violence or given little intellectual or emotional stimulation, his
successful development will be impeded. As members of the community, we
should each ask ourselves: Are we providing the kind of environments that
will allow children to grow into citizens who give back to communities?
There are many things that we can do to help ensure that children have
a chance to succeed.
- Get to know your neighbors. People feel better and safer, and
problems seem less overwhelming, when support is nearby. Be that support
for your neighbors.
- Help a family under stress. If a family you know seems to be
in crisis or under stress, offer to help - offer to baby-sit, help with
chores or errands, or recommend community resources that are available
where they can get assistance.
- Reach out to children in your community. A smile or word of
encouragement can mean a lot, whether it comes from a parent or a passing
stranger.
- Get involved in a local school. Even if you don't have school-aged
children, you can mentor a child at your local school or become a Big
Brother or Big Sister.
- Keep your neighborhood safe. Start a Neighborhood Watch. This
will provide an opportunity to get to know your neighbors as well as
keep your neighborhood and children safe.
- Be an active community member. Volunteer with a program that
supports community members, or start your own program.
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| Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect |
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Anything you do to support kids and parents
in your community helps strengthen families and reduce the likelihood
of child abuse or neglect. You can also work in more specific ways to
prevent child maltreatment.
- Help distribute educational materials on parenting and child
abuse prevention.
- Mentor parents in programs that match experienced, stable parents
with parents at risk for abuse. Mentors provide support and model positive
parenting skills.
- Volunteer for programs such as Befriend-a-Child or Court Appointed
Special Advocates (CASA)
- Contact your elected officials and ask them to support funding
for programs and policies that support children and families.
- Make a donation (money, clothing, food, toys, etc.) to an organization
the works to prevent child abuse.
- Start or join a community coalition to prevent child abuse
and neglect
- Learn how to recognize and report signs of child maltreatment.
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| Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect |
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If you suspect that a child is being harmed, contact
your State Child Abuse Hotline, local child protective services (CPS),
or law enforcement agency so professionals can assess the situation. For
more information about where and how to file a report, call Childhelp
USA, National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD).
Specific information you may be asked includes:
- The child's and location
- The suspected perpetrator's name and relationship to child
- Why you suspect abuse or neglect
- Names of others that may have knowledge of the abuse
- Your name and phone number
Your name will not be given out to families reported for child abuse
or neglect. You may also make an anonymous report, but the report may
be considered more credible if you give your name.
Children do well when there parents do well. And families do better when
they live in supportive communities. We can all play a positive part.
Note: This article was adapted from the Safe
Children and Health Families Are a Shared Responsibility: 2005 Community
Resource Packet. For the complete document and for additional information regarding
child abuse prevention, please visit the
National
Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information website.
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