An estimated 3.4 million referrals alleging child maltreatment were received by all 52 States’ Child Protective Services (CPS) according to the Child Maltreatment 2011 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration Children’s Bureau. Three million different children received a CPS response that determined nearly 700,000 children were victims of child abuse and neglect. The rate is 9.1 victims for every 1,000 children. Victims in the age group of birth to one year had the highest victimization rate at 21.2 per 1,000. These are troubling statistics that demand a focus on child maltreatment prevention.
On behalf of the Child Abuse Prevention Center (CAP Center) we invite you to join us in recognizing April 2013 as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. In this annual opportunity to bring awareness to this critical issue, the CAP Center’s focus is on the importance of protective factors that, when present, increase the health and well-being of children and families.
Research tells us that what children learn throughout their early interactions with parents and caregivers becomes the foundation for all future development. While safe, nurturing relationships and stimulating, stable environments improve brain development and child well-being, neglectful or abusive experiences or unstable, stressful environments increase the odds of poor outcomes.
Parents and caregivers who have social connections and concrete supports in times of need are better able to provide safe environments and nurturing experiences for their children. By recognizing and building on existing strengths within communities and families, we can support all families in providing these positive and healthy environments for their children.
Investing in children today is an investment in tomorrow.
Child abuse prevention resources are available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Bureau and the Child Welfare Information Gateway. The materials emphasize ways we all can contribute to the healthy development of children and families by incorporating protective factors into our everyday work and interactions with families. We encourage you to share these resources with your agency staff, community partners, and most importantly with the families you serve.
Please accept our sincere appreciation for the work you do each day to build promising futures for our nation’s children. Our children are tomorrow’s leaders, parents, and workforce. Investing in children today is an investment in tomorrow.
Sheila Boxley is President & CEO of the Child Abuse Prevention Center, an umbrella organization that houses Prevent Child Abuse California, the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento, Safe Kids California, California Family Resource Association, and Lift the Children. She has led the organization for 14 years, during which time it has expanded from a single county to programs in 34 California counties, five states, and two other countries. Sheila was recognized with a national award for her efforts at collaboration by the Child Welfare League of America and jointly by the League of California Cities, County Supervisors Association of California and California School Boards Association.
