“Strong and Thriving Families” National Child Abuse Awareness Theme for 2020

April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month.  The theme for 2020’s campaign is “Strong and Thriving Families”.  The Children’s Bureau decided to go with this theme this year because they know the theme “recognized that supporting families is important to ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of our nation’s children.”

Unfortunately, child abuse is something that is still very common in today’s society.  According to the American Society for Positive Care of Children (SPCC), in the United States there were 4.1 million child maltreatment reports and 7.5 million children involved in child abuse cases last year. Of these cases, the highest rate of child abuse is children under the age of one. Moreover, almost five children die each day because of child abuse, 72% of which were children under the age of three.

When children are abused and neglected, they grow up to be 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy, more likely to engage in sexual risk taking behaviors, and will more than likely have at least one psychological disorder.  They are also more likely to use and abuse drugs and alcohol because they either see their parents do it or think that using is the only way to cope with what they had been through.

Fortunately, we can make a difference and help put an end to child abuse. Arkansas Child Abuse Prevention agency came up with 10 things we all can do to help prevent child abuse in America:

1. Be a nurturing parent– Children need to know they are loved and have someone they can always rely on.
2. Help friends, neighbors, and relatives– It’s never easy being a parent. Helping by watching children or just helping when someone is in need can help take stress off other parents which in turn, takes stress away from the children.
3. Help yourself– If you start to feel overwhelmed or like things are spiraling out of control, don’t be afraid to ask for help or get some “me time.”  We all need it and it will keep you from taking anger out on the children.
4. If the baby won’t stop crying– It can be very frustrating when a baby will not stop crying.  Try to do anything you can to get them to stop.  If you cannot figure anything out, try to get help from a friend or family member and maybe get some time to step away.  Never shake a child.
5. Get involved– Ask your community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services to meet the needs of healthy children and families.
6. Help develop parent resources at the local library– We all need help and some people may not have the same advice that we do.  Putting together resources can help many parents in need in your community.
7. Promote programs in school– Teaching children, parents, and teacher’s prevention strategies and what to look out for can help save a life.
8. Monitor your child’s TV and video viewing– Being exposed to violent TV and games can be harmful to the children, in that they may think being violent is normal.
9. Volunteer at a local child abuse prevention program– CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is one way you can volunteer and become an advocate for a child in need.  For other opportunities, call 1-800-CHILDREN
10. Report suspected child abuse or neglect– If you have reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, call the Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-482-5964 or TDD 1-800-843-6349.

Child abuse is an awful thing that no child should ever have to endure. Together, though, we can put an end to child abuse and maltreatment and create better lives for future generations.  If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence please call The Safe Place at 501-354-1884 or our Crisis Line at 1-888-554-2501.  You can also call our Perryville location at 501-889-2030.