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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffYou can take simple steps to protect your child from exploitation and child abuse, as well as prevent child abuse in your neighborhood or community. For example:
- Offer your child love and attention. If you feel overwhelmed or out of control, take a break. Don't take out your anger on your child.
- Think supervision. Don't leave young children home alone. In public, keep a close eye on your child. Volunteer at school and for extracurricular activities so that you get to know the adults who are spending time with your child. Don't allow your child to go anywhere or accept anything without your permission. When your child is old enough to leave home without parental supervision, encourage your child to hang out with friends rather than alone — and to tell you where he or she is at all times.
- Know your child's caregivers. Check references for baby sitters and other caregivers. Make unannounced visits to observe what's happening. Don't ever allow substitutes for your usual child care provider if you don't know the substitute.
- Emphasize the importance of saying no. Make sure your child understands that he or she doesn't have to do anything that seems scary or uncomfortable. Encourage your child to leave a threatening or frightening situation immediately and seek help from a trusted adult. If something does happen, encourage your child to talk to you or another trusted adult about the episode. Assure your child that it's OK to talk, and that he or she won't get in trouble.
- Teach your child how to stay safe online. The Internet is a tremendous tool, but it's important to use it safely. Cover ground rules such as not sharing personal information and not responding to inappropriate, hurtful or frightening messages. Don't allow your child to share photos or videos online or arrange to meet an online contact in person without your permission. Check your child's privacy settings on social networking sites, and tell your child to let you know if someone he or she doesn't know makes contact via a social networking site. Consider it a red flag if your child is secretive about his or her online activities. Place the computer in a common area of the home, and use the parental controls to restrict the types of Internet sites your child can visit.
- Reach out. Meet the families in your neighborhood, including both parents and children. Or, join a parent support group so you have an appropriate place to vent your frustrations. If a friend or neighbor seems to be struggling, offer to baby-sit or help in another way.
If you're concerned that you might abuse your child, seek help immediately, especially if you were abused as a child. Start by talking with your family doctor. He or she may offer a referral to a parent education class, counseling or a support group for parents so that you can learn appropriate ways to deal with your anger. If you're abusing alcohol or drugs, ask your doctor about treatment options. Remember, child abuse is preventable — and often a symptom of a problem that may be treatable. Ask for help today.
If you, the parent, were a victim of any type of child abuse, get counseling to assure you don't continue the abuse cycle or teach those destructive behaviors to your child.
- Sirotnak AP, et al. Child abuse and neglect. In: Hay WW Jr, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3399277. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Child maltreatment 2008. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm08/cm08.pdf. Accessed May 19, 2010.
- What do I need to know about child abuse? American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/What-to-Know-about-Child-Abuse.aspx. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Bernet W. Child maltreatment. In: Ebert MH, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Psychiatry. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3291295. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Recognizing child abuse and neglect: Signs and symptoms. Child Information Gateway. http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Milosavljevic N, et al. Abuse and neglect. In: Stern TA, et al. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201664618-3/0/1657/764.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Berkowitz CD. Child abuse and neglect. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2004. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=614652. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Whipple EE, et al. Crossing the line from physical discipline to child abuse: How much is too much? Child Abuse and Neglect. 1997;21:431.
- Chung EK, et al. Parenting attitudes and infant spanking: The influence of childhood experiences. Pediatrics. 2009;124:e278.
- Asnes AG. Managing child abuse: General principles. Pediatrics in Review. 2010;31:47.
- Long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect. Child Welfare Information Gateway. http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/long_term_consequences.pdf. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Shipman K, et al. Mental health treatment of child abuse and neglect: The promise of evidence-based practice. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2009;56:417.
- Hoecker J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 20, 2010.
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