April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
By Written by Guest Blogger Dennette Bailey Updated by Sarah Marchwiany
Child abuse awareness is very close to my heart as I was a victim of child abuse. One of the things I promised myself as a child is that I would do my best to help abused children as well as help caring adults recognize the signs children being abused might be displaying. I have had many conversations with adults who were upset because they didn’t see the signs. Sometimes family members are too familiar with the family or identify with the family’s circumstances too much to see the abuse. In that case, friends and the community at large, are the ones who may need to step in and be the safety children need.
“Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC) is the only statewide organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Through investment in innovative programs proven to prevent child maltreatment before it occurs, PCANC helps North Carolina’s communities decrease factors that put children at risk for abuse and increase factors that encourage children to thrive. Through their offices in Raleigh, they serve every community in North Carolina. They are the North Carolina chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America.”
Prevent Child Abuse NC has free online training sessions to help us prevent child abuse and neglect. One such training offered is the Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment course. This course can be accessed on their website at preventchildabusenc.org.
For the month of April, the Prevent Child Abuse NC organization is raising awareness through special advocacy involvement opportunities. For example, this month you can plant a pinwheel garden at your home, church or local business. The pinwheel represents the joyful carefree childhood everyone should have. There is also a child abuse prevention month toolkit with all sorts of pamphlets and talking points that can be accessed at the website. On Friday, April 5 the organization is asking people to wear blue and share photos with the #WEARBLUE. There is a walk for prevention Thursday, April 25 at 3:30 PM at Southside Recreation Center/Fairview FRC in High Point, NC. Prevent Child Abuse also has a fundraiser in which North Carolinians can purchase a Kids First License Plate. A portion of the sales goes back to community programs across North Carolina. These license plates can be purchased at ncdot.gov.
Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina will also present to your group, at your event, or simply answer questions. Their telephone number is 919-829-8009.
All children should have the opportunity to thrive and live in safety. The success of our families and communities depends on our children. There are so many issues in the world that are out of our control but child abuse is not one of them. We can eliminate child abuse and Prevent Child Abuse NC can help. For more information, please visit preventchildabusenc.org.
Here are 5 tips to help prevent child abuse:
1️⃣ Open communication: Encourage your kids to share their feelings and experiences with you without fear of judgment. Be a safe space for them to express themselves.
2️⃣ Educate them: Teach your children about their bodies, boundaries, and consent from an early age. Knowledge is power, and it empowers them to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
3️⃣ Know the signs: Familiarize yourself with the signs of abuse, both physical and emotional. Stay vigilant and trust your instincts if something seems off.
4️⃣ Establish boundaries: Set clear boundaries with caregivers and other adults in your child’s life. Ensure they understand your expectations and are respectful of your rules.
5️⃣ Stay involved: Stay actively involved in your child’s life. Attend school events, participate in extracurricular activities, and engage in meaningful conversations daily.
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