Partnering for prevention this Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to increase public awareness of child abuse prevention efforts and encourage statewide involvement to ensure every child has the chance to thrive.

The 2023 theme, “Building Together: Prevention in Partnership,” recognizes that prevention cannot happen without communities partnering together to strengthen youth and families to ensure positive futures. Below are a few examples of how policymakers, business leaders, and community members can help prevent child abuse and neglect or other early adversities. To see a more detailed list of roles and action to help Georgia’s families thrive, visit belongingforhope.org/prevention-roles-actions. 

• Business leaders can promote a culture of parent support.  
• Policymakers can identify and assess which policies may positively impact the lives of children and families and reduce possible barriers to families receiving needed support and resources.  
• Faith communities can offer space for parent and youth activities.
• Family and youth serving organizations can train staff on preventing, recognizing, and responding to child abuse.
• Educators can follow up if something seems wrong with a child and be ready to connect families with local resources. 
• Friends and neighbors can help break the social isolation some parents may experience and encourage parents to seek support when needed by calling the 1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373) helpline.
• Individuals can volunteer for an after-school mentoring program.  

Want to know how else you can get involved? In 2020, DFCS and its partners at Prevent Child Abuse Georgia surveyed the state and developed a new State Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan that includes ways individuals, communities, workplaces, and others can get involved. Working together, we have the power to strengthen families by advocating for policies, programs, and practices that increase a family’s economic stability, access to early childhood education, physical and mental health, resilience, and community awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention strategies.  

Learn more about Georgia's prevention plan or download a copy at tinyurl.com/GACANPP. Find your role and join in prevention efforts today!