April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Child abuse affects children of every age, race, and income level. In 2003, 23 of every 1,000 children in Kern County had substantiated abuse referrals compared to 12 of every 1,000 children statewide. Often abusers are ordinary people caught in stressful situations: young mothers and fathers unprepared for the responsibilities of raising a child; overwhelmed single parents with no support system; families placed under great stress by poverty, divorce, or sickness; parents with alcohol or drug problems. Safe children and healthy families are a shared responsibility. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month to raise awareness about the problem of child abuse - and most importantly, about what each of us can do to help prevent the abuse and neglect of children. There are many ways that awareness and prevention can be supported.
- Support children and parents in your community.
Help a friend, neighbor, or relative if they are having difficulty with their family. - Take a positive perspective.
Focus and build on what parents and families are doing right. - Address the issue.
Talk to elected officials, schools, community groups, and neighbors about what can be done to support safe children and healthy families. - Get involved.
Advocate for services to help families. Volunteer at a local child abuse prevention program. - Recognize that parenting can be challenging.
Offer assistance to parents before it becomes too much. Help to develop parenting resources at your local library or community center. - Promote supportive friendships for parents and positive self-images for children.
- Wear a blue ribbon to raise awareness.
For more information about child abuse and neglect contact Kern Child Abuse Prevention Council.
Read about our recent Call To Action focusing on child abuse and neglect.
Interested in becoming a foster parent? Visit the Kern County Department of Human Services - Foster Care Division.
This is a Manila site.