KIDS Place
... a place where hope begins
Prevention
How You Can Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect
Help Parents You Know
Support parent education programs at your school or facility
Use positive discipline techniques
Support groups for single parents
Promote positive play interaction between parents and children
Reach out to parents who are struggling
Offer to help parents you know who are or might be under stress
Stay with the children while the parents take a break
Offer positive encouragement when you see a parent interacting positively with their child
Help parents talk with their children about safety issues
Help Yourself
If you are a parent under stress:
Ask for help
Learn about positive discipline
Learn about child development
Talk with other parents or join a parenting group
Act When You See A Child Mistreated in Public
Engage the parent and be sympathetic
Call the manager if you believe a child is in danger or
Call the local authorities yourself
Volunteer At a Child Abuse Prevention Program
Contact KIDS Place at 828 524-3199
Contact your local library or referral center for volunteer programs in your area
Report Suspected Abuse and Neglect
Advocate for Services for Families
Initiate or Support Public Awareness Activities
Participate in activities during April, "Child Abuse Prevention Month"
Contact Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina at 1-800-CHILDREN
Contact KIDS Place at 828 524-3199
Make a Contribution to a Child Abuse Prevention Program
Many child abuse prevention organizations are private, not-for-profit agencies
Your contributions of time or money is vital to help these agencies continue to provide much needed services for children and their families
Encourage people in your community to:
Advocate for policies in the workplace that are family friendly
Be a mentor to neighborhood youth
Help form an after-school "Safe House" for children in your neighborhood
Offer a helping hand to single parents or families under stress in your neighborhood
Intervene when you see a child being mistreated in public
Find ways to educate your community about the respect children need and deserve
The Faith Community's Role in Child Abuse Prevention
Some things faith-based groups can do to prevent child abuse:
Copy and distribute materials on child abuse prevention
Offer respite care to congregation members in need of short-term relief
Provide information on child development and community resources during counseling sessions
Share information on how to report child abuse and neglect in church bulletins and newsletters
Train spiritual leaders to recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect
Work with families and make appropriate referrals
Celebrate children and families by hosting a "Children's Day"
Donate space for parent support groups or parent education programs
Business' Role in Child Abuse Prevention
Some ways businesses can contribute to child abuse prevention:
Distribute Blue Ribbons to employees during April - Child Abuse Prevention Month
Invite a child welfare worker to speak at a company function
Encourage employees to donate their time to child abuse prevention programs by offering paid leave for volunteer activities
Encourage the company to make a contribution to a non-profit child abuse prevention agency
Examine your business to see if it is " Family Friendly." Do policies allow parents to make their children a priority?
The Role of Media in Child Abuse Prevention
You can get the local media involved in child abuse prevention by asking them to:
Contact a prevention agency for story ideas, interviews, and information on child abuse prevention
Profile community leaders, teachers, and parents who take an active role in child abuse prevention in "people who make a difference stories"
Develop news stories educating the public about the effects of child abuse and neglect
Follow tragic news stories about child abuse with stories on how to prevent similar tragedies in the future
Donate print space or airtime for child abuse prevention messages
Publicize local businesses efforts to participate in child abuse awareness activities
Advocate for Children
Vote
Support public figures who support programs that protect children
Encourage lawmakers to support legislation that strengthens families and protects children
Write to your legislators and let them know that child abuse is an issue they should care about
Get involved with a local organization that supports child abuse prevention issues
Contact Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina at 1-800-CHILDREN or www.preventchildabusenc.org and become a member of the "Prevention Network"
Contact the Covenant with NC's Children and find out about pending legislation issues that affect children in our state. 919-832-6623 or www.nccovenant.org
[source: Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Manual: Prevent Child Abuse NC]
KIDS Place
... a place where hope begins
KIDS, Inc. l P.O. Box 693 l Franklin, NC 28744
(828)524-3199
