Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month 2024

Child abuse is a pervasive and devastating issue that exacts a heavy toll on its victims and undermines the very well-being of families and communities. In 2022, North Carolina saw a reported 114,806 investigated cases of child abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in the United States, at least one in every seven children has been a victim of child abuse or neglect in the past year.

Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month provides us with a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness about this nationwide crisis and is crucial in combating its destructive impact on children and families. By fostering greater awareness, communities can empower individuals to recognize the signs of abuse, offer support to those affected, and advocate for preventative measures. Through concerted efforts in education, outreach programs and access to resources we strive to create a community where every child is valued, safe and given the opportunity to thrive.

As April draws to a close, we pause to reflect on the significance of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and the collective efforts undertaken to protect the well-being of our community's children. Throughout the month, Children’s Law Center (CLC), along with community partners and local government, actively engaged in various events, fostered awareness, and advocating for prevention.

Wear Blue Day, April 5th – We, along with countless others across the Triad, North Carolina, and the nation, proudly displayed blue attire to demonstrate our commitment to preventing child abuse. This day raises awareness and encourages others to support child abuse prevention.

Forsyth County Child Abuse Prevention Kickoff, April 9th – Held at Forsyth County Courthouse, We joined community partners and Forsyth County elected officials to emphasize the importance of community action in protecting children from abuse and neglect.

First Responders Breakfast, April 10th – Hosted by The Parenting Path, this meal recognized the invaluable contributions of our first responders, as well as an opportunity to express gratitude for their unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of our children.

Forsyth County Commissioners Proclamation Meetings, April 18th – The Board of Commissioners officially declared April 2024 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, committing to the safety of the children of Forsyth County.

Guilford County Commissioners Proclamation Meetings, April 18th – The Board of Commissioners officially declared April 2024 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. This proclamation serves as a testament to the Guilford County community’s commitment to stop child abuse.

Denim Day, April 25th – Recognized internationally, participants wear a variety of denim-based clothing. This day is a reminder of the prevalence of sexual violence and the importance of combating victim-blaming attitudes. Through wearing denim, we stood in solidarity with survivors and reinforced our dedication to creating a culture of respect and support.

Ring Out Child Abuse, April 30th – We joined with The Parenting Path and other organizations to ring bells in recognition of child abuse awareness and prevention. This symbolic act served as a call to action for our community to remain vigilant in protecting our children.

Be sure to visit our Facebook and Instagram accounts to view our Social Media Education Series that ran through the month of April. This series provided valuable insights and resources for parents as well as the general public. We covered topics such as the long and short-term effects of child abuse, and the cycle of violence. Through these efforts, we aimed to empower our community with knowledge and resources to prevent child abuse and support survivors.

While each April provides our community with a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness of the child abuse pandemic in our country, it is critical to the safety of our children and the health of our community that all of us are constantly aware and vigilant every day as we endeavor to stop child abuse for good.