Child Abuse
Child abuse is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on a child's physical and emotional well-being. Prevention is key to ensuring that children grow up in a safe and healthy environment. Many individuals and communities can work together to prevent child abuse, including providing education and support to parents, creating safe spaces children to learn and play, and reporting any suspected abuse to authorities. By taking action to prevent child abuse, we can help ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Recognizing the Forms of Abuse
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Physical abuse: Any physical injury resulting in substantial harm to the child, or the genuine threat of substantial harm from physical injury to the child.
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Sexual abuse: Any sexual conduct harmful to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare as well as failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent sexual conduct with a child.
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Emotional abuse: A pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth.
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Neglect: The failure to provide for a child’s basic needs to sustain the health and life of the child, excluding failure caused primarily by financial inability unless relief services have been offered and refused.
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Medical Neglect: A type of maltreatment caused by failure of the caregiver to provide for the appropriate health care of the child although financially able to do so, or offered financial or other resources to do so.
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Human Trafficking: The exploitation of a child for the purpose of commercial sex or through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of forced labor
Did You Know?
Where to Report
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If you are in immediate danger, Call 911!
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Report Anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAKUP
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Your Local Police Department