April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and April 4, 2007 has been declared National Day of Hope. Consider these statistics from Childhelp USA:

* "More than three children die each day as a result of abuse in the home."
* "In the United States, approximately three million child abuse reports are made each year-on average, one report every ten seconds."
* "The actual incidence of abuse and neglect is estimated to be three times greater than the number reported to authorities."

Outraged? You should be. Child abuse includes

* Physical abuse which "occurs when a child suffers a nonaccidental injury that may include severe beatings, burns, fractures, bruises, welts, or other physical problems."
* Sexual abuse which "occurs when an adult or older child exploits a child for sexual gratification. Sexual abuse includes fondling, sodomy, child prostitution, incest, and encouraging or forcing a child to participate in pornographic activities."
* Neglect which "occurs when a parent or caretaker allows a child to experience avoidable suffering or fails to provide basic essentials for physical, social, and emotional development."
* Emotional maltreatment which "occurs when a parent creates a negative emotional atmosphere for the child. Examples are when the parent makes continued unfavorable comparisons to a sibling, when the parent makes the child feel bad because he or she is not perfect, or when the parent uses shameful forms of punishment."

Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can prevent child abuse:

* If you need help or suspect abuse, call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Professional counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in 140 languages. Spread the word about this number. It may be someone's lifeline in a time of trouble.

* If your behavior toward your child worries you, GET HELP. Learn how to prevent child abuse and neglect. Information and resource packets on promoting safe children and healthy families are available in Spanish and English.

* Learn more about child abuse from the National Institutes of Health and childwelfare.gov.