National Child Abuse Prevention Month Recap

Lydia Thomas

April celebrated National Child Abuse Prevention again this year and helped spread awareness to a very serious cause in the world.

 

National Child Abuse Prevention Month was first observed in 1983 after being proclaimed a national month by President Ronald Reagan. Over the years, April has been used to raise awareness of the problem of child abuse. These days, we use April to focus instead on how we can prevent child abuse and neglect. In addition, our own research shows that most Americans are engaged in prevention, they just do not know it.

 

Student Jack Thompson shared his opinion on national child abuse prevention month by stating, “I think it is a really good thing to have, but I feel like not a lot of people know about it so we need to make it worldwide.”

 

Every April is an opportunity to learn about the signs of child abuse to prevent it from happening across the world. Communities around the nation come together to support families and children by reinforcing strategies that are working and by providing resources and activities to help end child abuse and neglect.

 

First year teacher, Cody.Sherlocks, commented, “I think it’s really good that we have fundraisers and chances like this to really help kids and everyone around the world.”

 

This April specifically highlighted three of those ways that you can make a difference in your local community and help prevent child abuse. Everyone was encouraged to mentor a child or parent, advocate for family friendly policies, or donate time or money to different organizations.

 

Everyone can make a difference and help someone out, not just in the month of April, so go out there and help make children’s lives better, easier, and safer.