April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

In 2018, about 4.3 million reports were made to child protective services concerning the safety and well-being of approximately 7.8 million children.  Last year, an estimated 678,000 children were found to be victims of child abuse or neglect nationwide.

School districts are one of our most important partners in keeping children safe. Teachers, counselors, paraeducators and other school staff build strong relationships with students and often are the trusted adults who are able to report suspected abuse and neglect and find help for a child in need.  Law Enforcement throughout the nation rely upon our school partners to help us best serve at risk children. However, closures and social distancing efforts in response to COVID-19 have limited mandatory reporters’ access to children and youth, making it harder to detect abuse or neglect and leaving many children at risk. EVERYONE is encouraged to keep an eye out and report concerns about child welfare. Let's continue to come together and protect our children and communities!

Washington State PTA is dedicated to the health, safety and welfare of children and youth. Resolution 2.14, Child Abuse Prevention Supports explicitly addresses its resolve to provide voice, advocacy and resources toward necessary services and resources to support and educate families and communities about child abuse prevention.

Resources:

• National PTA Position Statement on Child Safety and Protection
  
• Continue to Report Abuse and Neglect - Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (April 16, 2020)
  
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month - resource page on the Child Welfare Information Gateway
  
• 2019/2020 Prevention Resource Guide - resource guide created by the Children's Bureau, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with its information service, Child Welfare Information Gateway, the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, the FRIENDS National Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, and over 30 national prevention partners 
  
• Child Welfare Information Gateway - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children & Families Children's Bureau
  
• Coronavirus Resources & Tips for Parents, Children & Others - resources from Prevent Child Abuse America
  
• Protecting Children During the COVID-19 Outbreak - resources to end abuse and violence from End Violence Against Children
  
• "How COVID-19 may increase domestic violence and child abuse" - article by the American Psychological Association