Today we launch National Child Abuse Prevention Month—the Children’s Bureau’s annual initiative to increase public awareness and provide resources to help protect children and prevent maltreatment.
Too often, we wait until maltreatment has already happened to react and repair the damage. However, by increasing the protective capacities of families and communities, we can reduce, mitigate, and prevent the negative outcomes associated with child abuse and neglect.
Like every family, every community is different, and prevention efforts must fit each community’s needs. Child abuse has consequences that last well into adulthood, and sometimes a complex set of stressors makes families more vulnerable.
You know your community best, and the National Child Abuse Prevention Month website is filled with resources to help you tailor information to the families in your area.