April is right around the corner and so is Child Abuse Prevention Month! There are many ways to participate next month to raise awareness and show support against child abuse.
Wear Blue Day
Join the Walk to End Child Abuse
Plant a Pinwheel Garden
Pinwheels represent a world where all children grow up happy and healthy. Planting a pinwheel garden is a great way to raise awareness in April. You can order blue pinwheels from any online store, choose a visible or high traffic area to plant pinwheels and snap a picture. To help spread awareness, tag the @CACofNiagara on social media. You may also email pics to marissa.virtuoso@nfmmc.org. Pictures emailed will be shared on the CAC Facebook/X accounts.
Learn About Child Abuse Prevention
One of the best ways an adult can participate in Child Abuse Prevention Month is by understanding the issue of child abuse and learning how to prevent it.
Darkness to Light has a 5-step framework for how to protect children that any one adult or organization can easily use in their own life or agency.
Step 1: Learning the facts.
It is estimated that 1 in 10 children are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. To better understand child sexual abuse, it is important to understand who the victims are and who is doing the abuse.
- 90% of children are abused by someone they know.
- As many as 60% are abused by people the family trusts.
To learn more facts on sexual abuse, visit: Step 1: Learn the Facts – Facts About Child Sexual Abuse (d2l.org)
Step 2: Minimizing Opportunity.
More than 80% of sexual abuse cases occur in isolated, one-on-one situations.
If we can create safer environments for children, we can reduce the opportunity for sexual abuse to occur. Here are a few tips from Darkness to Light on what caregivers can do to minimize the opportunity of abuse happening in one-on-one situations. For more information on minimizing opportunities, visit: Step 2: Minimize Opportunity – Darkness to Light (d2l.org)
Step 3: Talk About It.
One of the best prevention tools is talking openly and consistently to children about body safety, safe adults, and boundaries. Start from an early age and talk often. For more information on breaking down barriers and reasons children may be afraid to speak out, visit: Step 3: Talk About It – Talking to Kids About Sexual Abuse (d2l.org)
Step 4: Recognize the Signs.
Learn to spot the signs of abuse and report it. When abuse is reported, children have the chance to start the healing process. For more information on recognizing the signs, visit: Step 4: Recognize the Signs – Darkness to Light (d2l.org)
Step 5: Act Responsibly.
Know how to respond when a child makes a disclosure and what to do if you suspect abuse is taking place. When a child makes a disclosure, an adult’s response is incredibly important. To read what to do and what not to do, visit our blog post: When a Child Makes a Disclosure – Child Advocacy Center of Niagara (cacofniagara.org)
If you suspect a child is being abused, call the New York State Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-342-3720.
For more information on how to respond to suspicions of abuse, visit: Step 5: React Responsibly – Darkness to Light (d2l.org)
The Child Advocacy Center of Niagara is a trained facilitator of Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children training. To get more information, contact the CAC at 716.285.0045.
Prevention All Year Long
There are many ways to raise awareness and prevent child abuse all year long. While these activities are highlighted in April, you can support the CAC of Niagara throughout the year.
There are many ways to help…
- Gift an item from our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1UQ8WEP5DBOCK?ref_=wl_share
- Purchase new books or gift cards for snacks
- Make a monetary donation
- Request a training for your agency or organization
- Share and like our posts to help spread awareness
- Host a fundraiser at your agency!
Call the CAC, 716.285.0045 for more information.
