Child Abuse Prevention
Each day more than three children die as a
result of abuse or neglect in the home. On average, a child abuse report is
made every ten seconds—a total of approximately three million child abuse
reports annually. Childhelp has developed the following child abuse prevention
guidelines to help keep your child—or a child you care for—from becoming a
statistic.
Child Abuse Prevention Guidelines
- Never
discipline your child when your anger is out of control.
- Participate
in your child’s activities and get to know your child’s friends.
- Never
leave your child unattended, especially in the car.
- Teach
your child the difference between “good touches,” “bad touches” and
“confusing touches.”
- Ask
questions; for example, when your child tells you he or she doesn’t want
to be with someone, this could be a red flag.
- Listen
to them and believe what they say.
- Be
aware of changes in your child’s behavior or attitude, and inquire into
it.
- Teach
your child what to do if you and your child become separated while away from
home.
- Teach
your child the correct names of his/her private body parts.
- Be
alert for any talk that reveals premature sexual understanding.
- Pay
attention when someone shows greater than normal interest in your child.
- Make
certain your child’s school or day care center will release him/her only
to you or someone you officially designate.
To learn more about child abuse prevention,
call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD®
(1-800-422-4453). The 24-hour hotline is staffed with professional counselors
who offer information about child abuse prevention as well as crisis
intervention, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social
service and support resources.
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