Written by Emily Lyday
Edited by Jocelyn Nguyen
What is National Child Abuse Prevention Month?
Held annually in April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month aims to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect. This annual observance was founded in 1979 and was made official when President Ronald Reagan established it 4 years later with annual funding by the Children’s Bureau in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Graphic made by Lesley Pham, from Arts for Relief
Although physical harm may come to mind when you think of abuse, there are many instances in which people can experience abuse. Emotional abuse, such as manipulation and neglect, as well as sexual abuse, such as rape or unwanted touching, are other forms of abuse. A child experiencing any type of trauma can encounter its lasting effects. Poor mental health, difficulty in making relationships, substance abuse, and aggressive behavior are just a few long-term effects of abuse.
Every year, the Children’s Bureau releases data of reported cases of child abuse in the U.S. One report stated that, out of every reported case of child abuse in that year, 8 percent of victims were neglected, 10.7 percent were physically abused, and 7 percent were sexually assaulted.
The Importance of Therapy
One way to recover from childhood trauma and abuse is to seek a professional therapist or psychiatrist. Therapy can improve communication skills, act as a safe space free from judgment or guilt, and can help victims gain a sense of empowerment. Despite the overwhelming benefits of therapy, the opportunity to do so is often turned down out of misguided beliefs that seeking mental treatment is “weak” and “dangerous.” However, therapy is simply a beneficial method to receive help when needed. The stigma around mental health pervades society, yet it is time to get rid of it.
So what can I do to help?
Glad you asked! There are many ways to help prevent future child abuse and the stigma around mental health. Sharing media such as new articles, videos, presentations, and virtual guides can help inform others of the issues and consequences child abuse and stigma can have. The network of awareness and activism that social media creates has proven to have positive impacts multiple times. Even though a simple action like sharing infographics may seem useless, it can help educate and prevent stigma around the subject it surrounds. After all, one of the first steps to solving a problem is to inform others about it.
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