Take the Time to Help a Child

What You Can Do to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect in Your Community

Listed below are some things you can do to prevent child abuse and neglect in your community. The “5 R’s” can help you better understand the role you play in child abuse prevention in your community.

Raise the issue

• Educate yourself and others in your community to help prevent abuse from happening in the first place.
• Call or write your elected officials and ask them to support increased funding for child abuse prevention, intervention and treatment programs.
• Contact your local school district and faith community to encourage them to sponsor classes and support programs for new parents.
• Wear a blue ribbon to show your support for child abuse and neglect prevention.

• Anything you do to support children and parents in your family and community helps reduce the stress that often leads to abuse and neglect.
  • Offer to baby-sit
  • Donate your used children’s clothing, furniture, and toys for use by another family
  • Be kind and supportive, particularly to new parents and their children

• Child abuse and neglect happens in all areas of our society, but the risk factors are greater in families where parents:
  • Abuse alcohol or drugs
  • Are isolated from their families or communities
  • Have difficulty controlling anger or stress
  • Appear uninterested in the care, nourishment or safety of their children
  • Seem to have serious economic, housing or personal problems

• Warning signs that a child might be abused or neglected include:
  • Nervousness around adults
  • Aggression toward adults or other children
  • Inability to concentrate or stay awake for extended time periods
  • Sudden, dramatic changes in personality or behavior
  • Unnatural interest in sex
  • Frequent or unexplained bruises or injuries
  • Low self-esteem
  • Poor hygiene

• If you suspect abuse is occurring, report it – and keep reporting it – until something is done. Contact one or more of the following:
  • Florida Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
  • Local Police or Sheriff Department

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

For more information on child abuse and neglect please go to the following links:

• www.cwla.org
• www.ounce.org
• www.asafehavenfornewborns.com