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

• 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

• 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.

RESOURCES

• National Child Abuse Prevention Month - Child Welfare Information Gateway
• Behavioral Health Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect - Child Welfare Information Gateway
• Fast Facts: Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect / Violence Prevention | Injury Center, CDC
• Child Maltreatment and Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Outcomes: An Exploration of Biopsychosocial Determinants and Implications for Prevention | SpringerLink
• The Link Between Child Abuse and Health
• Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect
• Physical Punishment: What Parents Should Know | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• 2023 Child Abuse Prevention Month - PSA (English)