Posted on March 20, 2019 at 9:13 AM by Tonisha Beal
We believe that every child has a right to a safe childhood free of violence. April, Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, is an important time to start the conversation in our communities about how we can keep our children safe.
The first federal piece of legislation to protect children from abuse and neglect, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), was passed in 1974. In 1982, Congress took further steps toward identifying and preventing child abuse and recognized the first Child Abuse Prevention Week. Shortly after, the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month was designated in April. Since those early days, the focus on recognition and prevention has widened to include promoting healthy parenting and strong families through education and community support.
By rallying our neighbors, business, schools, friends and families, we can make a difference in the lives of children across the country. By promoting safety, awareness and dialogue, we can prevent abuse from happening in the first place and help keep our children safe. – Joyful Heart Foundation.