Child abuse and neglect are very real problems in the United States that place a large financial and emotional burden on our communities and country. April is National Childhood Abuse Prevention Month. Here are three reasons why each of us should care:
• A report released by the US Department of Health and Human Services in 2011 stated that an estimated 676,596 children were victims of child abuse in the US, and 1,545 children died as a result of abuse or neglect. Many of these situations were preventable with supportive community engagement and programs.
• Child abuse does not only impact the child, but the community as a whole. Response and treatment require many resources. Long-term abuse or neglect has been shown to affect various systems, to include: physical and mental health, law enforcement, judicial and public social services, and nonprofit agencies as they respond to the incident and support the victims. The economic impact can be tremendous. One analysis showed the costs to be as much as $258 million each day, or $94 billion each year.
• Collaboration is needed to help prevent child abuse and neglect. Research has identified factors that are known to prevent and reduce child abuse and neglect if implemented in a community. We can all play a role in bringing awareness to this problem to ensure actions are taken in the community.
A few simple things you can do for Child Abuse Prevention Month:
• Raise public awareness. You can share information about Child Abuse Prevention Month. You can also purchase, or encourage your school or church to purchase, a Children’s Memorial Flag to be flown on the fourth Friday in April, Children’s Memorial Day.
Issue news releases, photographs, public service announcements, and compelling stories to the media, advocacy groups, parent-teacher organizations, police stations, hospitals, community centers, websites and special interest groups.
• Participate in ceremonies to memorialize children. Host or attend an event (candlelight vigil) at your state capitol and remember those children lost to abuse by reading their names.
• Write, visit, fax, phone, or e-mail your elected officials. Keep informed of policy issues at the state and federal level concerning child welfare and subscribe to alerts. Contact your governor, state legislators, county commissioners, and mayor and request that they proclaim the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and fly the Child Welfare League of America’s Children’s Memorial Flag. Reach out to US Senators and Congressmen and ensure they are aware of the events.
While child abuse may seem to be a “family” matter, the truth is, there is much that can be done to reduce and prevent abuse. Simple actions go a long way.
Alexa Bigwarfe is the mother of three small children. She has taken a special interest in child, maternal, and newborn health and writes regularly on these topics.
Additional resources
Child Abuse Prevention Month website: www.cwla.org/programs/childprotection/childprotectionfaq.htm.
Tell a friend, encourage neighbors, your church, your workplace, the media, and business leaders to order the Children’s Memorial Flag [(800) 407–6273, e-mail: flag@cwla.org, visit www.cwla.org/pubs/giftsearch.asp?WHICH=4].
