National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Jazmine Luna (8)
Did you know that April is child abuse prevention month? Yes, it’s sad that we even have a month to educate and teach people the signs to watch for child abuse, but this is the reality of the world we live in.
April is an important time to raise awareness about the importance of protecting children and preventing child abuse. During child abuse prevention month, many schools and organizations come together and educate people about the signs of abuse and the importance in reporting abuse.
Don’t you hate that rule where you can’t wear your hoodie? Well many schools have this rule so teachers and admin can see if a child has marks or anything of that sort. Child abuse can happen in many different ways, and it can affect someone’s mental health as well. Millions of children of every race, religion and background, face neglect. Even physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Children can also seem afraid of their parents or act differently when they are around them. If you suspect that a child is being abused, it’s important to take action and protect the child. You can report your concerns at CPS (child protective services) or even law enforcement
Mental signs of child abuse
- Development delays
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Aggression
- Regressive behavior
- Low self esteem
- Difficulty in concentrating
How to recover from child abuse
Recovering from child abuse is a complex process that will definitely need professional help and support from people around you, but some ways to recover child abuse are providing support and resources such as therapy and counseling for children who have been abused. Encourage kids to communicate with you about abuse if they are comfortable. Also provide a safe environment so they know they’re okay. Offer mental health services for children who have experienced abuse to help them recover.
Physical features of abuse
- Self harm (such as cutting or scars)
- Substance abuse (smoking or vaping , drinking alcohol)
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Bruising
- Poor weight gain
- Burns (cigarette burns or other)
- Facial injuries without good explanation
- Head injuries
- Hair loss
- Malnutrition
This is the month for it, but every day you can be someone’s hero. If you ever see a child being physically abused please call (800-843-5678).