What YOU can do.

Here is a list of things you can do to help prevent child abuse. They are really good tips! :)

Childhelp.org encourages people to 10 things:

• Be a nurturing parent. Being a nurturing parent involves meeting basic physical needs as well as consistently seeking to meet your children’s emotional needs. Each child is different, as is each parent, so a nurturing relationship can take many forms. Check out these great tips for being a nurturing parent. 

•  Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Everyone sometimes feels stressed, overworked and out of patience, but these kinds of emotions, if left unabated, can lead to regrettable parenting decisions. If you notice that a parent you know seems to be having a rough time, that’s a great cue that they may need a little break. Even small gestures can mean a lot and relieve a stressful parent. Here are ten ways you can help out a stressed out parent. Remember, just because a parent is stressed, doesn’t mean that they are abusing or neglecting their children. But a little help from a trusted friend may do a lot to help them be the parent they want to be. 

•  Help yourself and de-stress when necessary. If you find yourself being the one who is stressed out, then maybe it’s time to let a trusted friend or family member in to help on occasion. Here are some ideas for coping with the stress of raising children. Sometimes a few good nights’ sleep away for the weekend is all it takes. 

•  When your baby cries, be patient. When a baby won’t stop crying, it can be frustrating, heartbreaking and even defeating. If you have a baby who is prone to long bouts of crying, take a look at these tips for calming an infant. Never shake a baby. Shaking a baby can result in severe injury and even death. For more information about shaken baby syndrome, please click here. 

• Get involved. Tell other people about child abuse resources in your community and services like the National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD).  Share resources like this blog and don’t shy away from speaking out against child abuse and neglect. 

• Help develop parenting resources. Are you a parent who feels like they have wisdom and experiences to share? Contact your local library and offer to help them develop parenting resources. 

•  Monitor your child’s media intake. This includes things like television, YouTube videos, movies, social media activity, and even texting. Watching violent films and television shows can be harmful to a young child’s development and can be desensitizing to older children and teens. For tips on how to decide what your children are allowed to watch, visit CommonSenseMedia.org, and for ideas to set internet safety rules and boundaries, click here.

• Promote programs in school. Help the schools in your community be the source of education about child abuse, not just math, English and science. Childhelp’s Speak Up Be Safe program provides an age appropriate curriculum for schools, parents and kids to take a stand against child abuse. 

• Volunteer at a local child abuse prevention program. Another way to get involved in the fight against child abuse is to volunteer your time. Childhelp has local chapters and Wings programs which raise funds and awareness for Childhelp programs. Without these tireless volunteers, we would not be able to do what we do.  

•  Report suspected abuse or neglect. Last, but certainly not least, if you suspect abuse, report it. If you are being abused, don’t stay silent. Anyone can call the National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no cost, anonymously. Certified counselors are there to assist callers with deciding what the next step to take is. For more information about what a hotline call is like, click here.

The Children's Advocacy Center suggests:

• Be a good example.
  Respect your family members. Use a courteous tone of voice with them. When children misbehave, let them know that you dislike what they did, not who they are. Don't hit your kids; violence teaches violence. Apologize when you're wrong. Say "I love you" more often. Reward good behavior. 


• Be a friend to a parent.
  Listen. Sometimes, just being able to express anger and frustration helps ease tensions. Go shopping with a parent and child. Children are usually better behaved when their adults are happier and more relaxed. Invite a parent to go jogging or bowling or golfing. Exercise helps relieve stress.  


• Praise and encourage the children you know.
  Mean words can make a child feel worthless, ugly, and unloved, and the hurt can last a lifetime. So be positive. Tell a child you're proud of her and why. Stick up for her; don't let others tease or make fun of her. Smile. Let her know she is important to you. Say, "You're terrific. I like you!"


• Be a mentor.
  Help a pregnant teenager learn parenting skills. Or be a mentor to a pre-teen through one of the school mentoring programs.


• Learn more about child abuse and child abuse prevention.
  Teach others. Plan an adult education program in your church, club, or organization to inform people about children's needs. Open your group's facility to local education programs for parents. 


• Learn to recognize the signs of abuse.
  Know the signs of neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse listed at the bottom of this page. Know them. 


• Understand which children are most likely to be abused.
  Although child abuse occurs in all racial, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic groups, physical abuse and neglect are more likely among people living in poverty. Children who are most likely to be abused are children who are mentally retarded, premature, unwanted, stubborn, inquisitive, demanding, or have a disability 


• Organize safety systems for your neighborhood.
  Arrange for neighbors who are at home most of the day to watch out for children on their way to and from school. Set up "safe houses" where children can go if they feel threatened or afraid. Participate in a telephone network for neighborhood children who are home alone after school and need help, advice, or reassurance.