Each day five children die as a result of abuse or neglect. On average, a child abuse report is made every ten seconds—a total of approximately three million child abuse reports annually. Childhelp has developed the following child abuse prevention guidelines to help keep your child—or a child you care for—from becoming a statistic.

Child Abuse Prevention Guidelines

• Never discipline your child when your anger is out of control.

• Participate in your child’s activities and get to know your child’s friends.

• Never leave your child unattended, especially in the car.

• Teach your child the difference between “good touches,” “bad touches” and “confusing touches.”

• Ask questions; for example, when your child tells you he or she doesn’t want to be with someone, this could be a red flag.

• Listen to them and believe what they say.

• Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior or attitude, and inquire into it.

• Teach your child what to do if you and your child become separated while away from home.

• Teach your child the correct names of his/her private body parts.

• Be alert for any talk that reveals premature sexual understanding.

• Pay attention when someone shows greater than normal interest in your child.

• Make certain your child’s school or day care center will release him/her only to you or someone you officially designate.

To learn more about child abuse prevention, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD® (1-800-422-4453). The 24-hour hotline is staffed with professional counselors who offer information about child abuse prevention as well as crisis intervention, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service and support resources.