April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This initiative is rooted in communities working together to serve children and their families in meaningful, impactful ways that provide families with the support they need, especially during challenging times.
According to the latest national data, an estimated 1,990 children died from abuse and neglect in the United States in federal fiscal year 2022. Approximately 3.1 million children across the country received either an investigation or an alternative response by child protective services, and 558,899 children were found to be victims of child maltreatment.
Each year, we educate others and raise awareness about the impact child abuse has on children and society. Providing information about best practices that are known to build parental capacity through protective factors is key to helping families become more resilient.
Protective factors are conditions or attributes that mitigate or eliminate maltreatment risk factors and can increase the health and well-being of children and families. They give parents the tools they need to parent effectively, even under stress. Protective factors include nurturing and attachment, knowledge of parenting and child youth development, parental resilience, social connections, and concrete supports for parents.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is more than just raising awareness about the reality of child maltreatment. It's about taking action to reduce it. Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach can join in this national effort by providing our families with the support they need. Issues such as a family’s neighborhood or income level and other societal factors can make parenting more challenging. By reducing these vulnerabilities through strengths-based approaches that truly support families, we can begin to mitigate child maltreatment risks and improve the outcomes of children, youth, and families.
To make child abuse lesslikely to occur, we must invest in our community and our families. In Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach, consider partnering with organizations that are family focused and strength based.
All children deserve to grow up in safe, supportive environments. This National Child Abuse Prevention Month and throughout the year, help make this possible by supporting families and spreading the word about the importance of child abuse prevention. For more information and resources, visit the National Child Abuse Prevention Month campaign page. Together, we can end child abuse and neglect.
Additional Resources
Child Maltreatment 2022
Children's Bureau
2023/2024 Prevention Resource Guide
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Prevention
Child Welfare Information Gateway
