APRIL: What is Child Abuse Prevention Month and why is it important?
The month of April is considered Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month and WRBL looked into why Child Abuse Prevention Month is observed and how locals can participate.
So what is Child Abuse Prevention Month?
Child Abuse Prevention Month according to Child Welfare Information Gateway recognizes the importance of local communities coming together to not only offer support to families but also to prevent child abuse.
Child Abuse Month is recognized in Georgia, Alabama and nationally. The first piece of federal child protection legislation, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) was passed in 1974.
Although CAPTA has been amended in the past with the most recent change being Congress passing the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act in 2003, the goal of the original act still remains intact. Currently, the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are the federal agencies tasked with providing support to children and families.
What is considered child abuse?
According to the CDC, child abuse can occur in four main forms, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. The CDC reports that at least one out of seven children have experienced some form of abuse within the past year. CDC further detailed that in 2020 alone, 1,750 children died from abuse and neglect in the U.S.
Child abuse can also lead to what the CDC refers to as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ACEs are potentially dangerous and traumatic events that happen during childhood. Some examples of ACEs CDC provided are:
Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect
Witnessing violence in the home or community
Having a family member attempt or die by suicide
The CDC also noted that a child’s environment can cause ACEs including being near others dealing with substance use problems, mental health problems, instability caused by parental separation or a family member being incarcerated.
How can I participate?
The Advocates for Children, a Cartersville, Georgia-based non-profit dedicated to strengthening families and protecting children offered several ways community members can participate in CAP Month to spread awareness:
EDUCATE –
Advocates for Children says a great way to start spreading awareness about CAP Month, is to learn about child abuse and understand the devasting consequences children who are victims of abuse face. For example, interested individuals can start by searching for child abuse statistics, and advocacy resources.
VOLUNTEER –
Another way community members can participate in CAP Month is through volunteering. Advocates for Children encourages people to come together as a community to support struggling families or children susceptible to abuse. Advocates for Children noted that “no amount of time that you commit is too small!”
DONATE –
There are numerous child abuse prevention programs and non-profits dedicated to preventing child maltreatment. Advocates for Children says individuals who may now have the time to volunteer can always contribute to organizations tasked with stopping child abuse through monetary donations.
REPORT –
Lastly and most importantly, Advocates for Children says to report the abuse “when you see it.” If anyone suspects a child is being abused, Advocates for Children urges that people take the necessary steps to report the abuse. If it is an immediate emergency call 911, if you learn about abuse after it happened still report the incident. Advocates for Children also pointed out that “false allegations made by children are extremely rare.”
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