National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The purpose of designating this month is to raise awareness about child abuse prevention and how we can help prevent the abuse and neglect of children. At the Pediatric Care Center, we aim to provide parents and caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children/wards. Our goal is to promote each child’s social and emotional well-being and prevent maltreatment within families/communities.

Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect
Child abuse occurs when a child has had physical injury inflicted upon him or her other than by accidental means, or is in a condition resulting in maltreatment, such as, but not limited to, malnutrition, sexual molestation or exploitation, deprivation of necessities, emotional maltreatment or cruel punishment. Child neglect occurs when a child has been abandoned, is being denied proper care and attention physically, emotionally, or morally, or is being permitted to live under conditions, circumstances or associations injurious to his or her well-being.¹

Protective Factors
When caregivers possess key, protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes are promoted for children and families. Some of these protective factors are²:

• Nurturing and attachment: strong relationships between children and their caregivers.
• Knowledge: of positive parenting and understanding of child development.
• Parental resilience: being aware of triggers, mental health and safety issues.
• Social connections: identify sources of support within families and outside relationships.
• Support for families: community/local resources that exist to support families.
• Social and emotional competence: understand how each child expresses their needs/emotions.

Getting Help
We are all stakeholders in ensuring that the children in our communities are safe and protected. If you suspect that a child is being abused or has been neglected, or would like more information about services available to you and your children, please call the Connecticut Child Abuse and Neglect Careline at 1-800-842-2288. “Anyone who suspects that a child has been abused or neglected or is in danger of abuse or neglect is strongly encouraged to call the Careline.”

Please visit: The Healthy Children and the national Child Welfare Prevention websites for more information.