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PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
- Factors that can Increase the Risk of Child Abuse & Neglect:
- Age: Children under 4 years of age are at greatest risk for severe injury and death from abuse.
- Family Environment: Abuse and neglect can occur in families where there is a great deal of stress. The stress can result from a family history of violence, drug or alcohol abuse, poverty, and chronic health problems. Families that do not have nearby friends, relatives, and other social support are also at risk.
- Community: On-going violence in the community may create an environment where child abuse is accepted. Strategies that support parents and teach positive parenting skills are very important. Positive parenting skills include good communication, appropriate discipline, and responding to children’s physical and emotional needs. Programs to prevent child maltreatment also improve parent-child relationships and provide parents with social support.
Source: Center for Disease Control – Understanding Child Maltreatment Fact Sheet http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/CM-FactSheet-a.pdf
- Steps to Help Prevent Child Abuse
- Contact Prevent Child Abuse Georgia at 1-800-CHILDREN for information on local training sessions and educational resources available on the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
- Become educated on the signs of child abuse and neglect and familiarize yourself with policies that prevent child abuse.
- Help others who may be struggling with parental responsibilities or ask for help if you are struggling.
- Monitor changes in a child’s behavior and talk to the child in order to identify the cause of these changes.