According to the American Psychological Association (APA) sometimes, people are afraid to report abuse or neglect because they don't want to break up a family. Sometimes, people are afraid to get involved in someone else's problem.
When you report suspected child abuse or neglect, you could be saving that child's life.
The goal of stopping abuse and neglect is to keep children safe. Part of keeping children safe is finding help for the adults who have hurt them. Adults who have abused or neglected a child have many places to turn for help.
The child's doctor can explain children's needs at every age. He or she can recommend places to learn more about parenting and child care.
Local health and social service departments often have parenting classes. Social service workers also can help parents get assistance to ease their financial situations.
Hospitals and community centers often have classes on stress reduction, parenting, discipline, and nutrition.
Psychologists, counselors, and social workers can help parents and caregivers deal with problems like drug use, anger and previous experiences of abuse.
Religious groups often provide food, counseling, and other types of support for anyone in the community — not just their members.
If you see that a relative, neighbor or friend is under a lot of stress and might hurt children in their care, suggest that the person get help from one of these services. Stop the problem before it starts.
Sometimes people aren’t aware of the things that happen
around them, sometimes even in front of them. The most important thing is to
act locally upon the situation if you’re well aware of the causes and effects.
In Chicago there are many organizations that create awareness during the month
of April. The month of April is when child neglect and abuse (CAN) have its day
of advocacy and when people address that CAN is a critical global and local
concern. Many local organizations made it their responsibility to have students
and local community members sign up on their web pages to join the CAN awareness
movement across Chicago. Some people can simply create awareness by advocating
via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Social networking today has a big role on
society. To become a community activist just simply start advocating and making
people in the community well aware of what they can do to help.