National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families. Through this collaboration, various prevention services and supports help protect children and produce thriving families.
How can you help?
- If you suspect abuse or neglect, call the Iowa Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-362-2178.
- Volunteer with CASA or FCRB!
- You can influence Iowa’s laws protecting children. Contact your legislators and let them know what is important to you. Urge your representatives to support bills that focus on supporting families and preventing child abuse. You can find and contact your legislator HERE.
- The 2021 Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Conference will be held virtually May 3-4, 2021, with the theme "Cultivating Community." You can register HERE.
There are many resources available to help communities and individuals contribute to this important effort. Here are just a few:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Child Welfare Information Gateway
American Society for the Positive Care of Children
The pinwheel has come to signify child abuse prevention. In 2008 Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign. What their research showed, and what their experiences since then have reinforced, is that people respond positively to pinwheels, which represent childlike whimsy and lightheartedness and a vision for a world where all children grow up happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in supportive families and communities.