April is Child Abuse Prevention

During April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM) and the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child maltreatment. Outreach programs, resources, and activities offer tools for identifying abuse and neglect. Education is the key to prevention. Safe Harbors of the Finger Lakes has provided primary prevention education in our area schools since 1982. With each opportunity, we bring hope to families and come closer to an end to child abuse and neglect.

Child abuse includes physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse inflicted by a parent or other caretaker. New York law defines these types of abuses in the following ways: Physical abuse or neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.

Generally, the term abuse encompasses the most severe harm committed against children. An abused child is a child whose parent or other person legally responsible for their care inflicts upon the child serious physical injury, creates a substantial risk of severe bodily injury, or commits an act of sexual abuse against the child. A person who perpetrates any of these actions against a child in their care can be abusive, and so can a person who allows someone else to do these things to a child.

When abuse is recognized, several agencies and individuals can become involved. Depending on the circumstances, it can include law enforcement, Child Protective Services (CPS), courts, schools, medical care, The Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes, and Safe Harbors. Our role in these situations is to support the child and the non-offending caregiver by helping them navigate the challenges and providing information and emotional support so that they understand they are not alone.