What Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month?
TThe month of April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Every child has the right to grow up in a nurturing, safe environment where they feel safe, protected and valued. Sadly, this is not the reality for many children. In fact, the Children’s Bureau Maltreatment Report in 2023, reports that millions of estimated referrals of child abuse and or neglect were made nationally.
Child Abuse Prevention Month was established by President Ronald Reagan and his administration in 1983 in an effort to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect. Since 1983, the Children’s Bureau as well as other child welfare organizations have continued to spearhead this initiative to promote April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Their mission being to advocate for stronger child protection policies and to educate communities about what child abuse is and what they can do to prevent abuse and neglect.
Abuse Comes in Many Forms, Including:
- Physical abuse: kicking, hitting, shaking, slapping, burning a child, or not allowing a child to use the bathroom, eat or drink.
- Sexual Abuse: Inappropriate touching, incest, rape, or exposing a child to pornographic material or using a child to create