April is Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month

April was first declared Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983. Since then, April has been a time to acknowledge
the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse.


WHY DO WE OBSERVE CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH?

  1. It helps to predict child abuse signs
    Child Abuse Awareness Month helps in making us learn about the signs of child abuse. It lets us study the behavior of an abused child.
  2. Every child deserves a safe childhood
    We believe that every child should have a secure childhood. Child Abuse Awareness month emphasizes greatly on protecting our children from mistreatment of any kind.
  3. The children grow up to become good human beings
    Children who have experienced a safe childhood grow up to become happy and well-behaved

Child abuse awareness is mental health awareness. Child abuse prevention is mental health prevention.
Melissa Stennett Deuter, MD (melissadeuter.com)

HOW TO OBSERVE CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH

  • Encourage children to speak up against child abuse
    Encourage your children or the children living in your community to speak up if they have been mistreated or sexually abused.
  • Promote prevention of mistreatment of children
    Promote the prevention of child abuse through social media or webinars.
  • Volunteer to work for child abuse protection organizations
    Find out about the organizations working for child abuse prevention and contribute to helping this cause on your part by working for them.
  • Go Blue Day – Friday, April 7, 2023
    Wear your favorite blue in honor of your commitment to preventing child abuse.
  • Post to social media with the hashtag #silenceendshere

 



A FEW KIND WORDS

We all know that a few kind words can change your entire outlook on a situation, but it can be a challenge to think of positive things to say in the moment. So, we’ve compiled a list of expressions to use in various situations to help parents be their children’s biggest champions. Accept the Words Matter Challenge and start a lifelong habit.
- Words Matter – Words of Encouragement for Children | Family Services (fairfaxcounty.gov)

  • I love you
  • You can do it
  • You are a good person
  • I am grateful for you
  • I am proud of you
  • You are special
  • That was a really good choice
  • Mistakes mean you are trying
  • You matter
  • You are an amazing person
  • Just be yourself
  • You are a creative thinker
  • Do your best
  • I trust you
  • It’s not your fault
  • You make a difference
  • You are one of a kind
  • You are brilliant
  • You have choices
  • You are worthy
  • You were right
  • It's okay to be scared (or sad)
  • It's your body
  • You have a voice
  • Love yourself
  • I see you are trying
  • I believe in you
  • How can we work together to fix this?
  • I am here to listen
  • You are safe
  • It will be okay
  • You are a great helper
  • What a great question/idea

CDC: WHAT ARE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT?


     CHILD MALTREATMENT KEY FACTS

  • Consequences of child maltreatment include impaired lifelong physical and mental health, and the social and occupational outcomes can ultimately slow a country's economic and social development.
  • Child maltreatment is often hidden. Only a fraction of child victims of maltreatment ever gets support from health professionals.
  • A child who is abused is more likely to abuse others as an adult so that violence is passed down from one generation to the next. It is therefore critical to break this cycle of violence, and in so doing create positive multi-generational impacts.
  • Preventing child maltreatment before it starts is possible and requires a multisectoral approach.
  • Effective prevention approaches include supporting parents and teaching positive parenting skills, and enhancing laws to prohibit violent punishment.
  • Ongoing care of children and families can reduce the risk of maltreatment reoccurring and can minimize its consequences.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

(Fast Facts: Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect / Violence Prevention / Injury Center | CDC)

  • Children who are abused and neglected may suffer immediate physical injuries such as cuts, bruises, or broken bones. They may also have emotional and psychological problems, such as anxiety or posttraumatic stress.
  • Over the long term, children who are abused or neglected are also at increased risk for experiencing future violence victimization and perpetration, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections, delayed brain development, lower educational attainment, and limited employment opportunities.
  • Chronic abuse may result in toxic stress, which can change brain development and increase the risk for problems like posttraumatic stress disorder and learning, attention, and memory difficulties.



Infographic Courtesy of Child Trends


WHAT FACTORS PROTECT A CHILD FROM RISK OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT?



  • Children’s optimism, high self-esteem, intelligence, creativity, humor and independence, which enhance their coping skills in the face of adversity.
  • Parent's or caregiver’s respectful communication and listening, consistent rules and expectations, and safe opportunities that promote independence.
  • The family’s access to social supports, neighborhood stability and access to safe schools and adequate health care.
  • The child's experience of love, acceptance, positive guidance and protection from a caring adult, which encourages trust that their parents or caregivers will provide what they need to thrive.

  • The acceptance of peers and positive influences such as teachers, mentors and role models.
  • Parents or caregivers who can cope with the stresses of everyday life and have the inner strength to bounce back when things are not going well.
  • Parents or caregivers with a social network of emotionally supportive friends, family and neighbors.
  • Families who can meet their own basic needs for food, clothing, housing and transportation and know how to access essential services such as childcare, health care and mental health services.


About Us

Cuyahoga County's Just in Time Training is a web based service program designed to connect foster parents, kinship or other caregivers with training, peer experts and other resources. Questions are answered and practical solutions to care for children are discussed - all from the comfort of your home or office.

Accessibility

If you have difficulty accessing any material on this site, please contact us in writing and we will work with you to make the information available. You can direct your request to JITSupport@USF.edu.

Report Child Abuse / Neglect:


(216) 696-KIDS (5437)