National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the realities of child abuse and promoting prevention efforts. Preventing abuse requires all of us working together to create safe and supportive environments for children and families.
Child abuse is a horrific crime that harms and traumatizes children in severe and often long-lasting ways. Unfortunately, it is far too common—both nationally and globally. In the past year, at least one in seven children in the United States experienced child abuse or neglect. U.S. child welfare authorities investigate the safety of more than 7.5 million children. In 2023, of the children found to be victims of maltreatment, 104,839 entered foster care, where the goal is to provide them safety, stability, and love.
The safety of more than
7,500,000
children is looked into by U.S. child welfare authorities annually
1 in 7
children in the U.S. experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year
104,839
children found to be victims of maltreatment entered foster care in 2023
The reality of child abuse is alarming and heartbreaking, but prevention is possible. There are actions we can take to prevent child abuse and support families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights risk and protective factors that can be used to identify when child abuse may be occurring and what can be done to prevent it and protect the child. Risk factors include unstable housing, a high frequency of food insecurity, high rates of poverty, and limited educational and economic opportunities.
At One More Child, our work directly addresses many of these risk factors. Through five trauma-informed, evidence-based program areas—Foster Care, Child Hunger, Anti-Trafficking, Single Moms, and Family Support— we serve vulnerable children and families by meeting urgent needs and promoting long-term well-being.
Pinwheels for Protection
In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, communities across the country are partnering together in the “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign. The blue pinwheel is the national symbol of child abuse prevention—it represents the playfulness of childhood and hope for a world where all children grow up in a happy, healthy, and supportive environment.
In participation with “Pinwheels for Protection,” One More Child planted a pinwheel garden as a symbol of our commitment to protecting children. This April, our Lakeland headquarters, the Joe K. Blanton Campus, will bloom with blue pinwheels to symbolize our commitment to prevention, and we invite you to create your very own pinwheel garden! Join us and show your support for child abuse prevention efforts.
Get Involved
Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving, and stable home, and we all have a responsibility to help make this goal a reality. Organizations, agencies, churches, communities, families, and individuals must work together and pursue efforts to prevent child abuse. There are a number of ways you can get involved in child abuse prevention efforts, not only for the month of April but also year-round
Get involved in Child Abuse Prevention Month:
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- Wear blue on Friday, April 4 to show your support and participation in this month of recognition.
- Paint one fingernail blue to start conversations about child abuse prevention everywhere you go.
- Share social media posts to create awareness. Throughout the month, we will post about child abuse prevention, and we invite you to share these posts onto your own social media accounts.
- Plant a pinwheel garden to symbolize your commitment to child abuse prevention.
Get involved year-round:
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- Learn the signs of abuse and neglect, which may include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, fear of going home, or lack of personal care or hygiene. View more common signs of child abuse from the National Children’s Alliance here. If you suspect child abuse, report it to the designated agency or contact in your state—you can find the contact for reporting according to your state from the Child Welfare Information Gateway here.
- Seek to advance protective factors that can decrease child abuse, such as strong support networks for families in need, access to food and other necessities, and opportunities for education and employment. Learn more about risk and protective factors from the CDC here.
- Support child-welfare organizations that provide prevention and intervention services for vulnerable children and families. One More Child spearheads programs that are designed to promote safety, security, and joy in the lives of children and families in need. We rely on our partnerships with other organizations and corporations, communities, churches, and supporters like you to accomplish our mission. We invite you to participate in this mission with us, as we meet tangible needs and share the eternal hope of Christ!