Do you know 10 children? Then you likely know a child who needs your help.
According to CDC estimates, at least 1 out of every 7 children in the U.S. experienced a form of abuse in the past year. That means around 600,000 children suffer from physical, mental, emotional or sexual abuse each year, often at the hands of someone they know and trust. Sadly, the real numbers are presumably even higher, as child abuse frequently goes unreported, unmentioned and unnoticed.
You may have heard it mentioned more often lately because it is Child Abuse Prevention Month — and if you suspect a child may be experiencing abuse or intentional neglect, you can call either call ChildLine at 800-932-0313 (in Pennsylvania) or the ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-422-4453; both services are available 24/7.
April will end, but the problem of child abuse does not magically disappear when we turn the calendar page. Since abuse typically happens out of sight, it is up to each of us to pay attention, because noticing is the first crucial step toward stopping child abuse in its tracks.
What are the signs a child may be experiencing abuse? The first thing to look for is physical trauma: suspicious burns, bruises, broken bones or unexplained injuries. Other common signs of abuse include drastic changes in behavior or personality, a reluctance to speak up or draw attention to themselves, violent mood swings, acting out in class or in public, significant changes in weight, extreme apprehensiveness or vigilance, fear of going home or with a caregiver, sleep disturbances, and self-harm. Because kids may not know how to express what they are feeling or experiencing, they can react irrationally, and discrepancies in their habits and behaviors could be a signal that something isn’t right.
Also, remember that not all child abuse is physical. Abuse can take many shapes, including intentional neglect, withholding food or other necessities, consistent beratement and insults, malicious destruction of a child’s possessions, sexual abuse or exploitation, and living in inadequate or inappropriate supervision conditions. Outward signs of these types of abuse aren’t always as easy to see, so it’s important to pay attention to how children speak, behave and present themselves both in person and on social media, and especially to notice major changes in those habits.
At The Bradley Center, we have seen countless examples of the effects of abuse and trauma. We have seen children hoarding food from the cafeteria because they’re afraid they wouldn’t be able to eat again, children with extremely poor hygiene who wear the same clothes every day, children who have little to no self-esteem and say over and over again that they are worthless or useless, children who engage in self-injurious behavior, and children who want to sleep with the lights on. While not every negative or unusual behavior from a child is a sign of abuse, that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. When it comes to preventing child abuse, the key is to notice and then take action. From my experience, it is crucial to trust your instincts, observe patterns and report any concerns you may have.
Preventing child abuse also depends on education — equipping families, educators and communities with the knowledge and tools they need to recognize the signs of abuse, intervene effectively and create nurturing environments where children can heal. This includes promoting positive parenting practices, teaching healthy coping strategies, encouraging children’s mental and emotional resilience, and breaking the cycles of violence and trauma that often perpetuate from generation to generation, as children of abuse often grow up to become abusers themselves.
Prevention ultimately requires advocacy — standing up for children’s rights, demanding accountability for those who perpetrate abuse, and promoting policies and programs that prioritize child safety and well-being. This means creating accessible resources, support networks and services that empower children and families to address their trauma and seek help and healing.
Perhaps most importantly, prevention is about cultivating a culture of empathy, compassion, acceptance and solidarity. It means creating spaces where children feel safe to speak up, express themselves and be their authentic selves without fear or shame. It also means listening to children, believing their stories and providing them with love, support and protection.
Every child deserves to live a childhood free from fear, abuse and neglect.
Preventing child abuse is not just about addressing immediate risks, but also strengthening families and fostering communities that prioritize children’s well-being. When we as a society actively invest our attention, energy and resources in protecting our children from abuse and support them in becoming their best selves, we can truly make a lasting difference — one community, one family and one child at a time.
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Lisa R. Fox is the chief executive officer of The Bradley Center, which has been dedicated to helping children and families heal from trauma for over 100 years.