National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, at least one in seven children have experienced abuse or neglect in the past year. April is dedicated to increasing awareness regarding identification and prevention of the ongoing issues of safety, health, and well-being for children nationwide.

According to the Administration for Children and Families, “Intentionally engaging in systemic and self-reflection and evaluation is integral to change and meaningful progress” in the fight against child abuse in the United States.

You may notice blue pinwheels placed outside of homes or posters with a blue pinwheel image popping up in local shops. The blue pinwheel is the symbol of Prevent Child Abuse America, and it is bringing attention to the importance of engaging all persons in conversation about abuse prevention.

If you are interested in how you can become more involved, the 23rd National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect has put together a resource guide. This guide not only helps define what child abuse is but also explains how we can work to stop it in our everyday lives and community at large. That guide can be located here: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/resources/resource-guide/.

Should you want to know more about what Oregon specifically is doing to prevent child abuse, the state provides a Child Welfare Progress Report monthly. Updated reports can be located here: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/CHILDREN/Pages/cw-welfare-progress-report-governor.aspx.

Four Point Legal supports bringing awareness to child abuse in our community. If you have concerns about a child being abused, you can reach out to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 855-503- SAFE (7233). The Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.