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Learn the facts about child abuse & neglect and how to prevent it. Prevention means taking action before something happens, and the key to prevention is education. When parents, guardians and caregivers take the time to educate themselves on abuse and the warning signs, our children become safer.
Now is the time to... 
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WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT?
Under the law, child abuse is defined as “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.” We often believe that abusers are strangers, but abuse can be inflicted by friends, neighbors or relatives and affects all economic, racial, social, ethnic and religious groups.
HOW CAN I HELP PREVENT CHILD ABUSE?
• Communicate healthy boundaries to your children. Opening the lines of communication with children and teaching them about their bodies and healthy boundaries is extremely effective in preventing child sexual abuse. Help your child to understand that nothing that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable should be kept secret.
•Interactions should always be visible and within the eye of two or more adults. More than 80% of child abuse incidents occur when children are in isolated, one on one situations with adults or other youth.
• Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Being a parent isn’t easy. Offer a helping hand to take care of the children, so the parent(s) can rest or spend time together.
• Help yourself. When the big and little problems of your everyday life pile up to the point you feel overwhelmed and out of control – take time out. Seek help or counseling. Don’t take it out on your kid.
• Get involved. Become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and be the voice for a child in the court system who has been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. As a CASA your are able to assist the court’s decision of whether it is in a child's best interest to be returned home or placed in adoptive or foster care. Call (318) 398-0945 to find out more about upcoming trainings.
Also, consider fostering or adopting a child who needs the security, love, and support their biological parents were unable to give them.
• Promote programs in school. Teaching children, parents and teachers prevention strategies can help to keep children safe.
•Interactions should always be visible and within the eye of two or more adults. More than 80% of child abuse incidents occur when children are in isolated, one on one situations with adults or other youth.
• Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Being a parent isn’t easy. Offer a helping hand to take care of the children, so the parent(s) can rest or spend time together.
• Help yourself. When the big and little problems of your everyday life pile up to the point you feel overwhelmed and out of control – take time out. Seek help or counseling. Don’t take it out on your kid.
• Get involved. Become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and be the voice for a child in the court system who has been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. As a CASA your are able to assist the court’s decision of whether it is in a child's best interest to be returned home or placed in adoptive or foster care. Call (318) 398-0945 to find out more about upcoming trainings.
Also, consider fostering or adopting a child who needs the security, love, and support their biological parents were unable to give them.
• Promote programs in school. Teaching children, parents and teachers prevention strategies can help to keep children safe.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WARNING SIGNS OF ABUSE IN CHILDREN?
• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
• Lacks adult supervision
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
• Lacks adult supervision
React responsibly, the most important thing you can say to a child who has opened up to you about being abused is: I believe you.
If you have reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, call your local department of children and family services or your local police department.
If you have reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, call your local department of children and family services or your local police department.
