Awareness & Reporting
Keep Alert to Stop Abuse
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, but you can act to support families and protect children all year round! Be a part of the solution and help to end child abuse in your community.
Every action helps make the well-being of children and families a priority.
Child well-being professionals are working at full capacity to protect our nation’s children. But, it is clear that the problem is too great and too important to be delegated entirely to these valiant workers. Every action taken by members of a community helps make the well-being of children and families a priority.
Childhood should be a time of positive experiences, not filled with fear. If abuse is not a part of your daily reality, it’s easy to put it out of your mind. In April, our task is to move those thoughts to the forefront and to take action. It’s up to us to fight on their behalf because every child matters. During this month and throughout the year, Windwood Family Services is dedicated to supporting families and reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect.
What can you do to advocate for child abuse prevention?
- Know the signs of child abuse and how and when to report.
- Share messaging from trusted organizations that support children and families.
- Promote awareness by talking about child abuse prevention with your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
- Volunteer with and donate to organizations that serve children and families.
- Take action on legislative issues that affect children and families. Call your elected representatives, join demonstrations and be sure to always vote to show that you support services to help children and families.
Signs of Child Abuse
- Sudden changes in behavior or school performance
- Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to a parents’ attention
- Has learning difficulties that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
- Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
- Lacks adult supervision
- Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
- Comes to school or other activities early, stays late and does not want to go home
- Is reluctant to be around a particular person
- Discloses maltreatment
How to Report
If you have reason to believe a child may be at risk of harm in their home, call the SCDSS 24-hour hotline at 1-888-227-3487. Anyone who is worried about the well-being of a child can call to report their concerns.
For more information on Child Abuse Prevention, please visit https://scchildren.org/resources/child-abuse-prevention-month/