Child Abuse Prevention
Preventing child abuse is key to ensuring children grow up in a safe and secure environment where they can develop into healthy and happy adults. It is estimated that one in seven children in the United States experiences child abuse and/or neglect each year. This leads to an array of adverse outcomes, including chronic pain and psychological concerns such as anxiety, anger, depression, and suicidal thoughts or ideation. Poor or delayed social and behavioral development are other results of child abuse and neglect.
The 5 Protective Factors
Research has shown that we can strengthen families by focusing on five protective factors, which can reduce the likelihood of child abuse and build brighter childhoods.
Managing stress and functioning well when faced with challenges, adversity, and trauma.
Positive relationships that provide emotional, informational, instrumental, and spiritual support.
Access to concrete support and services that address a family’s needs and help minimize stress caused by challenges.
Understanding child development and parenting strategies that support physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development.
Family and child interactions that help children develop the ability to communicate clearly, recognize and regulate their emotions and establish and maintain relationships.
