Child Abuse Prevention

Child abuse prevention is a societal and governmental issue.

Yes, prevention means intervention when suspected or known child abuse is taking place. When someone intervenes, the chances of preventing further abuse are greatly increased. But being reactive can't be considered the answer.

Child abuse prevention means taking steps to ensure abuse never happens in the first place. Prevention means setting up laws, policies and declarations that deal with the rights of children and youth.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is one such declaration. Canada ratified this convention on December 13, 1991.

This child abuse prevention document outlines many ways that societies are responsible for their children. The document identifies that children shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and other means, to enable him or her to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually, and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity.

FACT: The estimated cost of child sexual abuse in Canada exceeds $3.6 billion. The true cost is higher because of secrecy and the dependency that children often have on their abusers. Other costs are estimated at: Justice system: $8 billion/year; economic costs of violence against women: $4.2 billion/year; and each youth suicide: $640,000 to $3,000,000 (Hankivsky, 2003, forthcoming¹).

The above statistics do not take into account all other forms of abuse.

Some Noteworthy Child Abuse Prevention Quotes

Every time you treat a child with respect, that child feels just a little bit taller. Family Services Canada    [C]hildren present us with a uniquely compelling motivation for mobilization. Our collective failure to protect children must be transformed into an opportunity to confront the problems that cause their suffering. G. Machal, 1996   Few things in life are more satisfying than the experience of being your whole self, simply and honestly, and feeling good about who you are. Bass & Kaufman   Children who are able to remain hopeful about the future, are flexible and adaptable, possess problem-solving skills, and actively try to assume control over their lives are likely to be less vulnerable than those who passively accept their condition. Puntamaki, 1987

Child abuse prevention is also empowering children and youth by teaching them:

¤   what child abuse is
¤   why child abuse happens
¤   how to recognize when someone is being abused, and
¤   where to go for help.

The Canadian Red Cross RespectED program is a prevention tool that deals with the above.

For more information on training to be a Violence and Abuse Prevention Educator for the Canadian Red Cross, or to book school presentations and/or professional workshops, child abuse prevention will provide you with additional information.

Child abuse information pages on this site:

Abuse Headlines	History of Abuse
Sexual Abuse Signs	Child Abuse Stats
Sexual Abuse Effects	Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse Stats	Emotional Abuse Types
Sexual Abuse Victims	Emotional Abuse Signs
Male Victims	Emotional Abuse Effects
Female Victims	Bullying
Victims w/ Disability	Emotional Abuse Stats
Sexual Abuse Disclosures	Physical Abuse
Sex Offenders	Physical Abuse Signs
Male Sex Offenders	Abuse & Discipline
Female Sex Offenders	Physical Abuse Effects
Child Sex Offenders	Physical Abuse Stats
Adolescent Sex Offenders	Child Neglect
Incestuous Sex Offenders	Child Neglect Signs
Internet Sex Offenders	Child Neglect Effects
Child Abuse Law	Child Neglect Stats
Age of Majority	Poverty & Neglect
Duty to Report	Sexual Abuse
Abuse Intervention	Sexual Abuse Defined
Abuse Prevention

References

Child Abuse Prevention

1 Hankivsky, O. (2003, forthcoming). Preliminary cost estimates of child sexual abuse in Canada. Ottawa: Health Canada.

This child abuse prevention page was last revised May 31, 2007