Child Abuse Prevention Month: How You Can Help Protect Children
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and take action to protect vulnerable children. At Candor Therapy Network, we are deeply committed to ensuring that children grow up in safe, supportive environments. By understanding the signs and risks of child abuse and neglect, we can all play a role in safeguarding children from harm.
The Reality of Child Abuse and Neglect
In the United States, 1 in 4 children will experience some form of child abuse or neglect before adulthood (Brown, 2023). This statistic is even more concerning when considering the many unreported cases. Often, the abuser is someone within the child's close circle, making awareness and intervention even more crucial.
What Is Child Abuse and Neglect?
Child abuse and neglect include various forms of maltreatment. Recognizing them is the first step toward prevention:
Physical abuse: Occurs when a child is physically injured or placed at risk of harm by another person.
Sexual abuse: Any sexual activity involving a child, including sexual contact (touching, intercourse, or oral/genital contact), exposure to pornography, observing or creating sexualized images or films of a child, child prostitution, sex trafficking, or sexual harassment.
Emotional abuse: Involves harming a child’s emotional well-being or self-esteem through verbal or emotional assault, belittling, isolating, ignoring, or rejecting them.
Medical abuse: Occurs when false information about a child’s illness is provided, leading to unnecessary medical attention and putting the child at risk. Medical abuse also includes failing to provide necessary medical care or administering medication or drugs to cause an unprescribed effect or control.
Neglect: The failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, clean living conditions, affection, supervision, education, or necessary dental or medical care.
Warning Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect
Children experiencing abuse or neglect may exhibit behavioral, emotional, or physical signs, including:
Withdrawal from friends and activities
Sudden behavioral changes (aggression, anxiety, depression)
Sleep disturbances or nightmares
Frequent absences from school
Poor hygiene or inadequate clothing
Bruises, burns, or unexplained injuries
Fearfulness or reluctance to be alone with certain individuals
Self-harm or suicidal tendencies
Bleeding, pain, or itching around genital areas
Changes in body weight
Displays of affection that are sexual or inappropriate for the child’s age
Apparent lack of supervision
How You Can Help Prevent Child Abuse
Protecting children is a community effort. Here’s how you can help:
Educate Your Children: While these conversations can be difficult, they empower children to recognize unsafe situations and seek help if needed.
Support Child Protection Laws: Advocate for stronger legislation that funds child abuse prevention and protection programs. Contact your local lawmakers to advocate for these measures.
Stay Informed: Learn to recognize abuse and neglect so you can take action if needed.
Report Suspected Abuse: If you suspect child abuse, don’t hesitate to report it. You do not need proof—trained professionals will assess the situation.
Contact Information for Reporting Abuse:
Child Protective Services: (800) 552-7096
Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 422-4453
Police: 911
By taking these steps, we can create safer environments where children can thrive. This Child Abuse Prevention Month, let’s commit to being vigilant, informed, and proactive in protecting children from harm.
Reference: Brown, C. L. (2023, May 29). Child Physical Abuse and Neglect. StatPearls [Internet]. Link