April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, focused on raising awareness and preventing child abuse, a significant worldwide problem. The latest U.S. statistics show there were 558,899 confirmed victims in 2022. This number is a small portion of the 4,276,000 total reports CPS agencies received and explored that year.
27.3% of the confirmed victims were under the age of 2, with 89% abused by one or both parents. The most common type of child abuse is neglect, followed by physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological maltreatment. In 2021, authorities removed 164,454 children from their homes and placed them in foster care due to neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse.
So how do we stop these cycles of abuse?
Understanding child abuse: risks, types and signs
Risk factors
Risk factors that ultimately increase the possibility for a caregiver to abuse a child include:
- Alcohol abuse (chronic compulsive consumption)
- Domestic violence (perpetrator or victim of any type of abuse including abusive, violent, forceful, physical or verbal)
- Drug abuse (chronic compulsive use)
- Inadequate housing/homelessness (includes substandard housing, overcrowded or unsafe)
Types of child abuse
Forms of child abuse include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse involves the use of force that causes harm or injury to a child. This category includes Shaken Baby Syndrome which, according to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), is the leading cause of child abuse deaths in the U.S. That’s probably because crying is the #1 trigger of sleep-deprived and frustrated parents
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse refers to the constant belittling, shaming, or rejection of a child. It can range from chronic shouting and yelling at a child to ongoing use of the silent treatment and withholding kindness and affection.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse involves any sexual activity with a child. The attacker perpetrates an act of violence against someone they perceive as weaker than them.
Neglect
Neglect is the failure to provide for a child’s basic needs, including food, clothing, and supplies to meet their physical needs. The lack of educational support, emotional support, and unmet medical and dental needs contribute to the issue.
Signs of child abuse
Several signs can indicate that someone is abusing a child. These signs include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, fear of certain individuals, and difficulty trusting others. Paying attention to these signs and taking action if child abuse is suspected is crucial.
Preventing child abuse in your own home and in your community
Preventing child abuse starts with you.
First, it is important to educate yourself and others about the signs and types of child abuse. By being knowledgeable, you can better identify and respond to child abuse if/when it occurs.
Second, talk with your child. Teach them the proper names of body parts, talk about no-touch zones, and keeping boundaries. Make your child feel safe and open to talking with you when they feel uncomfortable. Discourage keeping secrets.
Third, remove chances for when abuse can occur. Make sure your child avoids one-on-one situations or isolated places where someone can abuse them. Make sure to thoroughly check the reputation of any childcare provider or babysitter you use. Make sure everyone who cares for your child feels safe and comfortable enough to contact you if they become frustrated and need help while taking care of your kids.
Fourth, self-regulate your emotions and react responsibly. If your child tells you they’ve been abused, make sure you react calmly and report the abuse. Get your child the help they need. If you feel overwhelmed, learn how to handle stress and protect your mental health to avoid unintentionally harming your children.
Fifth, recognize and react. Once you’ve educated yourself about the types of abuse, you can recognize the signs and report them accordingly. Document and report what happened when incidents are fresh in your mind. Ensure the youth receives the treatment and care they need.
Finally, be an advocate for children in your community. Get involved in your neighborhood, in local programs, and get to know other parents in your area. Speak out against child abuse and promote policies and programs that protect our youth. By raising awareness and advocating for change, you can help prevent child abuse in your community.
Reporting child abuse: who to contact and how
If you believe a child is being harmed, immediately contact Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). This number is available 24/7 to provide crisis intervention, information, and referrals.
You can also contact your local state child protective services or child welfare agency. The Child Welfare Information Gateway lists available phone numbers by state.
When reporting, provide detailed information such as the young person’s name, age, and address. Include any details about the abuse witnessed or disclosed.
You can also report child abuse anonymously if you are concerned about your own safety or the safety of the child. However, providing your contact information can be helpful for the authorities to gather additional information if needed.
You can also contact your Cayuga Centers team for any assistance 24/7.
Resources and organizations for child abuse prevention and assistance
Call 911 for immediate assistance
Where you can report suspected abuse:
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Organization / 1-800-422-4453
- Child Welfare Informational Gateway
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children / 1-800-843–5678
- National Domestic Violence Hotline / 1-800-799-7233
- National Human Trafficking Hotline / 1-888-373-7888
- National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline / 1-800-656-4673
Prevention and support organizations
- National Runaway Safeline / 1-800-786-2929
- Find Substance Abuse Treatment / 1-800-662-4357
- National Alliance on Mental Illness / 1-800-950-6264
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Hotline / 1-800-273-8255
Together, we can help stop child abuse and neglect to create a better, brighter future for our children, and strengthen our families and communities to make a better world. Spread the word, start a conversation, and let’s stop the cycle of abuse and neglect.
