Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month raises awareness about the abuse and neglect of children.

In an abusive situation, both children and parents tend to display certain signs.

Signs of Abused Children:

  • Changes in behavior or school performance
  • Medical problems that go untreated
  • Overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
  • Arriving at school early, staying late, and not wanting to go home

Signs of Abusive Parents:

  • Denies existence of problems, or blames the child for problems
  • Asks caretakers to use harsh physical discipline if child misbehaves
  • Sees child as bad, worthless, or burdensome
  • Demands levels of physical or academic performance that the child cannot achieve

If you suspect that a child is being mistreated, take action. Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway to learn more about identifying, reporting, and preventing child abuse or neglect.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and encourage individuals and communities to support children and families. Learn more about the history of the month, see examples of Presidential and State proclamations, and find strategies for engaging communities and supporting families.