April is National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. Children and families thrive when they have access to safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. Learn how to prevent child abuse and neglect before it begins with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) resources!
Child Abuse Prevention
Each day more than five children die as a result of abuse or neglect. On average, a child abuse report is made every 10 seconds for a total of approximately 3.3 million child abuse reports annually. Child help has developed the following child abuse prevention guidelines to help keep your child, or a child you care for, from becoming a statistic.
Child Abuse Prevention Guidelines
Never discipline your child when your anger is out of control.
Participate in your child’s activities and get to know your child’s friends.
Never leave your child unattended, especially in the car.
Teach your child to use their voice to allow them to prevent abuse in their own life.
Ask questions; for example, when your child tells you he or she doesn’t want to be with someone, this
could be a red flag.
Listen to them and believe what they say.
Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior or attitude and inquire into it.
Teach your child what to do if you and your child become separated while away from home.
Teach your child the correct names of his/her private body parts.
Be alert for any talk that reveals premature sexual understanding.
Pay attention when someone shows greater than normal interest in your child.
Make certain your child’s school or day care center will release him/her only to you or someone you
officially designate.
To learn more about Child Abuse prevention, call the Child help National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). The 24/7 hotline is staffed with professional counselors who offer information about child abuse prevention as well as crisis intervention, literature and referrals to thousands of emergencies, social service and support resources.