What can you do to prevent child abuse?
Every person has the power to make a difference. Here are ways you can help protect children and strengthen families:
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Volunteer your time – Support local organizations that serve children and families.
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Connect with other parents – Building strong community ties helps reduce stress and isolation.
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Discipline thoughtfully – Use positive parenting strategies instead of harsh punishment.
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Be mindful of your behavior – Children learn from the adults around them. Model respect and kindness.
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Educate yourself and others – Learn about child development, healthy discipline, and abuse prevention.
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Teach children their rights – Help them understand that they deserve to be safe and respected.
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Support prevention programs – Advocate for and contribute to initiatives that keep children safe.
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Know the signs of abuse – Recognizing red flags early can save a child’s life.
If you suspect a child is being abused, do not wait. Call 911 if a child is in immediate danger, or contact the Child Abuse National Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 for help and guidance.
Know The Statistics
Child abuse is a profoundly traumatic experience with long-lasting effects—and, tragically, it remains too common.
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In fiscal year 2022, child protective services received approximately 4.28 million referrals, encompassing about 7.5 million children. Of those, nearly 559,000 children were confirmed victims of maltreatment—the lowest number recorded in the past five years.cwla.org
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That year, an estimated 1,990 children died due to abuse or neglect—highlighting a distressing increase from prior years.cwla.org
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The U.S. still has one of the highest rates of child abuse fatalities among industrialized nations. For example, according to UNICEF data, the death rate in the U.S. was 2.4 per 100,000 children, compared to France at 1.4, the UK at 0.9, and Germany at 0.8.Wikipedia
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Abusive Head Trauma (AHT)—often referred to as Shaken Baby Syndrome—is a leading cause of death in child abuse cases for children under five. It accounts for roughly one-third of all such deaths.CDC
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Each year, across the U.S., there are approximately 1,200 to 1,400 clinically recognized cases of AHT. Of these, about 25% result in death, and 80% of survivors suffer long-term neurological impairments.dontshake.orgdontshake.org