April Awareness: Child Abuse Prevention

This week's awareness spotlight is Child Abuse Prevention.  


Unfortunately, child abuse is not an uncommon problem and abuse manifests itself in many different forms.  Abandonment, neglect, physical, emotional, sexual and psychological are the most common forms of child abuse.  If a child is abused in any way, he or she can grow up to experience many of the following problems: (emotional) depression, anxiety, low-self esteem; (physical) various non-accidental physical ailments (bruises, broken bones, wounds, etc); (neglect) lack of basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and medical attention.  


Many cities and towns have programs that help raise awareness of and prevent child abuse and neglect, support healthy childhood development and strengthen families.  These programs are usually held by women's shelters, churches and schools.  YACs can consider funding these programs around or near their area.  


To learn more visit these websites: 
http://www.preventchildabuse.org/index.shtml
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/whatiscan.pdf
http://www.childabuseprevention.org/content/programs-and-services