April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and April 4, 2007 has been declared National Day of Hope. Consider these statistics from Childhelp USA:

* "More than three children die each day as a result of abuse in the home."
* "In the United States, approximately three million child abuse reports are made each year-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."

Outraged? You should be. Child abuse includes

* Physical abuse which "occurs when a child suffers a nonaccidental injury that may include severe beatings, burns, fractures, bruises, welts, or other physical problems."
* Sexual abuse which "occurs when an adult or older child exploits a child for sexual gratification. Sexual abuse includes fondling, sodomy, child prostitution, incest, and encouraging or forcing a child to participate in pornographic activities."
* Neglect which "occurs when a parent or caretaker allows a child to experience avoidable suffering or fails to provide basic essentials for physical, social, and emotional development."
* Emotional maltreatment which "occurs when a parent creates a negative emotional atmosphere for the child. Examples are when the parent makes continued unfavorable comparisons to a sibling, when the parent makes the child feel bad because he or she is not perfect, or when the parent uses shameful forms of punishment."

Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can prevent child abuse:

* If you need help or suspect abuse, call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Professional counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in 140 languages. Spread the word about this number. It may be someone's lifeline in a time of trouble.

* If your behavior toward your child worries you, GET HELP. Learn how to prevent child abuse and neglect. Information and resource packets on promoting safe children and healthy families are available in Spanish and English.

* Learn more about child abuse from the National Institutes of Health and childwelfare.gov.

* SPEAK UP! If you are with people who are discussing and approving of abusive behavior (their own, or someone else's), present an alternative way to interact with children. You can do it in a way that is nonjudgmental and nonthreatening, but suggests that such behavior is hurtful and unacceptable. Make sure your words and behavior reflect what you believe. If a story is mean, and not funny, don't laugh. For ideas on how to do this click here or call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).

* Donate time, money, or resources to national and local agencies that work to prevent child abuse through hotlines, education, counseling, training, treatment and more. Consider Childhelp USA which sponsors the 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) hotline and many other services. They can direct you to local resources as well.

* Consider being a foster parent so you can provide a loving, caring, safe home for a child. May is National Foster Care Month. (If you are interested in adoption, consult the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.)

Think of the eighteen children who were abused while you read this post. Think of the three children who will die today as a result of abuse in the home. Are you ready to act?

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." -Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd US President (1882-1945)