How Adults Can Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

Every child deserves the right to grow up in a safe and healthy environment. However, this is not the case for many children. At least 1 in 7 children in the United States have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year. Child abuse and neglect can occur in any family, regardless of socioeconomic status. Child abuse and neglect is 100% preventable.

Protecting children from abuse and neglect is a community responsibility, and the need is urgent.  

Common Types of Abuse

Physical abuse: the intentional use of physical force that can result in injury, like bruises, burns, and broken bones.

Sexual abuse: involves pressuring or forcing a child to engage in sexual acts. It includes behaviors such as fondling, penetration, and exposing a child to other sexual activities. Sexual abuse can present as unexplained or frequent pain (including in the stomach or genitals), sexually transmitted diseases, bruises or bleeding from external genitals, vagina or anal region, and frequent, unexplained sore throats, yeast or urinary infections. Visit the CDC’s website for more information on preventing child sexual abuse.

Emotional abuse: refers to behaviors that harm a child’s self-worth or emotional well-being, like name-calling, shaming, rejecting, threatening, or withholding love.

Neglect: failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs, including housing, food, clothing, education, access to medical care, and having feelings validated and appropriately responded to.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can cause people to be victims or abusers in the future and can impact them for their entire lives.

Examples of ACEs include:

• Experiencing abuse or neglect
• Witnessing domestic violence in the home
• Parents separating
• Mental health problems
• Substance abuse

ACEs are common and can have lasting effects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the more adverse experiences a child has, the higher their risk for poorer outcomes as an adult.   

How You Can Help

Child abuse and neglect are rooted in unhealthy environments.  Preventing child abuse and neglect requires addressing risk and protective factors as individuals and as a community.  All communities benefit when children and families are well supported. Most adults want to help but are unsure of how to get involved. Here are some ways you can make a difference. 

1. Check yourself: Recognize your own ACEs and the impact those experiences may have on your life and seek support.
2. Empower young people: Help identify safe adults in the community who young people can talk to. Practice boundary-setting with youth and teach them it is okay to stand up for their personal space needs.
3. Uphold boundaries: Set physical and verbal boundaries for adults (for example, no forced hugging or kissing and no inappropriate jokes or language around young people).
4. Strengthen support systems for families: Ask individuals what they need during stressful times. Participate in programs within the community that support parents and caregivers. You are not alone.
5. Learn new parenting strategies: Positive parenting skills and strategies can make a huge difference in a child’s development and wellbeing.

If you think a child is being abused or neglected, you should report it as soon as you become aware. Do not wait, as time can make a difference. If an incident has happened within the last 96 hours, an immediate medical appointment may be necessary.

If you or someone you know needs help, call your local law enforcement agency or Child Protective Services Agency. In Franklin County, call the Franklin County Children Services 24-hour child abuse hotline at 614-229-7000 or visit their website. Outside of Franklin County, call the 24-hour National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit their website.

The Center for Family Safety and Healing is a leader in the prevention of child abuse and offers valuable resources and trainings to support the well-being of families and create safe and thriving communities.