American Humane Association Offers Suggestions to Help Prevent Child Abuse

April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

DENVER, April 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Humane Association joins thousands of organizations to support National Child Abuse Prevention Month this April. The organization, whose mission is to prevent cruelty, abuse and neglect of children and animals, urges people to do their part to prevent child abuse with the following tips:

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• Be objective and supportive. Remember that most parents want to be good parents but may need additional help, encouragement and guidance. Offer your support in any way in which you feel comfortable. Families in challenging situations can greatly benefit from social support, which could include anything from babysitting to carpooling to just offering to listen. Research shows that caregivers who have support -- from their family, friends, neighbors and community -- are more likely to provide safe and healthy homes for their children.
• Help yourself. If you feel overwhelmed, take a time out -- do not take your frustrations out on a child. Seek help from friends and family or join a support group for parents.
• Report suspected abuse or neglect. Contact your local Department of Human Services or law-enforcement agency and let them know your concerns. To overcome any reservations about becoming involved, consider that the consequences of not reporting your concerns could be seriously detrimental to a child's safety. All states have laws that protect reporters of child abuse and neglect from legal liability, as long as the reports are made in good faith.
• Become an involved member of your community. Inform yourself about the reporting laws in your state. Ask your community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services to help prevent abuse, or volunteer at a local child abuse prevention program.

Remember, kids are counting on all of us to do our part. For more information about American Humane's Children's Division, visit www.americanhumane.org/children.