Child Abuse

National Effective Parenting Initiative

Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect

Nearly three million children are reported for being abused, neglected and exploited yearly in the United States. The vast majority of adults reported for treating children in these ways are their parents, with mothers being reported the most frequently.

Children from all types of homes and neighborhoods are abused and neglected, with the majority being from low income and poverty areas. Raising children under poverty conditions is inherently stressful and stress is a major contributor to being neglectful and abusive in raising children.

African and Latino American children are highly overrepresented among children who are being abused and neglected, as well as being overrepresented among those who are living in poverty.

Also, children with special emotional, physical, intellectual and social needs are overrepresented, as their special needs and other disabilities place greater stress on parental patience and energy.

Special needs children include those with autism spectrum disorders, AD/HD, blindness and visual impairments, cerebral palsy, deafness and hearing loss, Down Syndrome, emotional disturbance like childhood depression, epilepsy, learning disabilities, mental retardation, speech and language impairment, spina bifida, traumatic brain injury, and severe and multiple disabilities.

Joining with organizations like the Chicago-based Prevent Child Abuse America is something you can do right now to combat these tragic and costly occurrences. They have chapters in every state and have been working since 1972 to mobilize individuals and communities to do the things that are needed to turn this situation around.

1. Learn specific actions you can take right now to help prevent child abuse and neglect by clicking here.

2. Learn what you can do to prevent the abuse and neglect of children with special needs by clicking here.

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