|
|
10 Things
You Can Do Now To Prevent Child Abuse
Suggestions from the Child
Welfare League of America
1) Volunteer your time. Get involved with other parents in your
community. Help vulnerable children and their families. Start a
playgroup.
2) Discipline your children thoughtfully. Never discipline your
child when you are upset. Give yourself time to calm down. Remember
that discipline is a way to teach your child. Use privileges to
encourage good behavior and time-outs to help your child regain
control.
3) Examine your behavior. Abuse is not just physical. Both
words and actions can inflict deep, lasting wounds. Be a nurturing
parent. Use your actions to show children and other adults that
conflicts can be settled without hitting or yelling.
4) Educate yourself and others. Simple support for children and
parents can be the best way to prevent child abuse. After-school
activities, parent education classes, mentoring programs, and respite
care are some of the many ways to keep children safe from harm. Be a
voice in support of these efforts in your community.
5) Teach children their rights. When children are taught they
are special and have the right to be safe, they are less likely to
think abuse is their fault, and more likely to report an offender.
6) Support prevention programs. Too often, intervention occurs
only after abuse is reported. Greater investments are needed in
programs that have been proven to stop the abuse before it occurs --
such as family counseling and home visits by nurses who provide
assistance for newborns and their parents.
7) Know what child abuse is. Physical and sexual abuse clearly
constitute maltreatment, but so does neglect, or the failure of
parents or other caregivers to provide a child with needed food,
clothing, and care. Children can also be emotionally abused when they
are rejected, berated, or continuously isolated.
8) Know the signs. Unexplained injuries aren't the only signs
of abuse-depression. Fear of a certain adult, difficulty trusting
others or making friends, sudden changes in eating or sleeping
patterns, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor hygiene, secrecy, and
hostility are often signs of family problems and may indicate a child
is being neglected or physically, sexually, or emotionally abused.
9) Report abuse. If you witness a child being harmed or see
evidence of abuse, or if a child tells you about abuse, make a report
to your state's child protective services department or local police.
When talking to a child about abuse, listen carefully, assure the
child that he or she did the right thing by telling an adult, and
affirm that he or she is not responsible for what happened.
10) Invest in Kids. Encourage leaders in the community to be
supportive of children and families. Ask employers to provide
family-friendly work environments. Ask your local and national
lawmakers to support legislation to better protect our children and to
improve their lives. |
