In April We Recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month

During the month of April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM)

During the month of April, we recognize Nationaler Monat der Kindesmissbrauchsprävention (NCAPM) and the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child maltreatment.Throughout the year, communities are encouraged to increase awareness about child and family well-being and work together to implement effective strategies that support families and prevent child abuse and neglect.Knowledge and understanding of protective factors and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can inform efforts to reduce the risk of maltreatment and prevent recurrence of abuse or neglect by drawing on family strengths and acknowledging the impact of traumatic events.

Protective Factors

Protective factors are conditions or attributes that, when present in families and communities, increase the well-being of children and families and reduce the likelihood of maltreatment. Identifying protective factors helps parents find resources, supports, or coping strategies that allow them to parent effectively—even under stress. There are 6 protective factors:

  • Pflege und Bindung
  • Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development
  • Elterliche Resilienz
  • Soziale Verbindungen
  • Konkrete Unterstützung für Eltern
  • Soziale und emotionale Kompetenz von Kindern

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Adverse Childhood Experiences are potentially traumatic events that occur before a child reaches the age of 18. ACEs include:

  • Alle Arten von Missbrauch und Vernachlässigung
  • Substanzkonsum oder psychische Erkrankung der Eltern
  • Inhaftierung der Eltern
  • Häusliche Gewalt
  • Scheidung

A landmark study in the 1990s found a significant relationship between the number of ACEs a person experienced and a variety of negative outcomes in adulthood, including poor physical and mental health, substance use, and risky behaviors.The more ACEs experienced, the greater the risk for these outcomes. By definition, children involved with the child welfare system have suffered at least one ACE. Understanding the impact of ACEs, and how to build resilience in children and families, can lead to more trauma-informed interventions that help to mitigate negative outcomes.TED Talks hosts an excellent presentation by Dr. Nadine Bourke Harris, MD, MPH on ACEs on YouTube: hier klicken.For more information on ACEs, visit ChildWelfare.gov.