Hello Friends of HYC,
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, an observance to increase awareness and give support to families in need. During the current pandemic, children are at a high risk of abuse and neglect. Families may be experiencing a higher level of stress and anxiety with the uncertainty of employment and obtaining basic needs for their families. Many parents themselves are dealing with mental health challenges, substance use, and domestic violence situations. Children in these family dynamics may be susceptible to abuse which can have a lasting impact on their development and well-being. When parents are under stressful conditions, they may respond negatively to a child’s behavior and become frustrated, acting out in a strong way.
HYC is dedicated to ensuring the families we work with are safe and free from harm, but as a community, we must look out for our neighbors. At a time when we are home, and children are in the presence of fewer adults, we all must be mindful to notice signs of abuse and stay connected to family and friends through telephone or video calls. Physically distancing should not mean social isolation from others. HYC implements the following protective factors when working with families to decrease the risk of abuse and keep families together. Communities can help by also implementing these factors with our neighbors and loved ones.
- Parental Resilience – Families that pull together under stressful times and can be flexible with their current challenging situation.
- Social Connections – Stay connected to family and friends, especially during this time at home.
- Nurturing and Attachment – All babies and children need nurturing and attachment from a parent for healthy emotional development.
- Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development – Being a parent can be difficult and not always easy and natural. It is OK to learn new parenting practices and ideas.
- Concrete Support for Families – All parents need a good support system to get through tough times.
- Social and Emotional Competence of Children – Parents can help children build self-confidence, develop, communicate, and learn.
Together we can look out for each other to help reduce the risk of child abuse. If you suspect child abuse, please call the
Child Abuse Hotline at 800-540-4000.
Helping Families Together!