April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, Southwest Georgia Community Action Council encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making their community a better place for children and families. Research shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families are promoted. The six protective factors are:
• Nurturing and attachment
• Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development
• Parental resilience
• Social connections
• Concrete supports for parents
• Social and emotional developmental well-being
Hope for the future:
• Four children die every day in the U.S. as a result of child abuse.
• Approximately 3 million child abuse reports are made each year in the U.S. – on average, one report every ten
seconds.
• The actual incidence of abuse and neglect is estimated to be three times greater than the number reported to
authorities.
• Those who call to report suspected abuse do not have to be sure abuse has occurred.
• Reporters may remain anonymous.
• Authorities will investigate and confirm whether or not maltreatment has occurred.
• If a child is in immediate danger, call the police. In all other cases, reports should be made to the DFCS office in the county where the child lives. Go to https://dfcs.georgia.gov/locations for local DFCS office contact information.