How to prevent child abuse

What can you do in your community to prevent child abuse?

-- Get to know your neighbors. Problems often seem less overwhelming when you have support nearby.

-- Volunteer to support children and families. You can become a parent mentor and serve as a role model for new parents. You also can volunteer at a parent resource center and help families get the support they need.

-- Encourage child- and family-serving agencies you are involved with to do something about child abuse. They can develop and implement a child abuse prevention policy and provide annual child abuse awareness presentations for staff, volunteers and parents.

-- Be an active community member. Attend town meetings and community events. Join groups that are working to improve your community.

-- Get involved with the local child abuse prevention agency or collaborative in your community. You can call 1-877-318-2432 for help in locating a prevention agency in your community.

-- Become an advocate. Speak out against child abuse. Contact your elected officials and ask them to support child- and family-friendly policies and funding for prevention programs.

-- Make a donation to organizations that serve children and families. Most charitable contributions are tax deductible, and they support efforts to help children and families.

-- If you suspect child abuse, report it. It's the right thing to do.

Reporting child abuse could save a life. The cycle of abuse can be stopped. Abusive families can get help.