The month of April is important for many reasons, one of those reasons being that it has been tagged as Child Abuse Prevention Month. More than 600,000 children face some form of child abuse in the United States every year, and raising awareness about such a prevalent issue is vital to preventing and ending it for good. 

Organizations like Prevent Child Abuse America, Child Rescue Coalition, and the Zero Abuse Project are all groups that fight to eliminate violence against children. With NCAPM (National Child Abuse Prevention Month), organizations often fight to publicize information about their coalitions and non-profits, organizing events, fundraisers and projects to advocate for an end to abuse. While it is a year-round fight, proclaiming the month of April as a month to fight for the cause functions as a worldwide reminder that these prevalent issues exist and must be recognized.  

There are many ways for individuals to contribute to the cause of preventing child abuse, both in our local areas and across the nation. PCAND (Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota) was founded in 1978 and has spent the last handful of decades building their non-profit committee, serving North Dakota’s communities for the sake of protecting children and encouraging an end to violence against children.  

PCAND provides opportunities for community members to gain knowledge surrounding what child abuse is and how to prevent it. Online training courses are linked on their website for the public to partake in if interested. For example, Mandated Reporter Training is provided for individuals required to report concerning behaviors; this is typically the case for teachers, childcare workers, and mental health providers. Gaining education about the warning signs surrounding abuse and how to provide help to children who are suffering is a necessary tool, especially when working alongside families.  

The PCAND also shares several activities and events that community members are invited to attend throughout April. A virtual series is occurring throughout April, featuring speakers from both PCAND and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Community events will occur all throughout North Dakota, from an NDSU parenting workshop to restaurant fundraisers. More information regarding PCAND, training opportunities, and community events can be found at www.pcand.org. 

Students on UND’s campus are partnered with organizations like PCAA (Prevent Child Abuse America) and have positive things to say about working alongside organizations like theirs. UND junior Ally Kujath works alongside PCAA for her sorority’s philanthropy. “PCAA plays a vital role in ensuring all children are able to have a childhood filled with love and hope while also working to advocate for those who have experienced child abuse and neglect,” Kujath said. Being a direct supporter of the non-profit, Kujath recognizes the importance of contributing to the cause and using her platform as a student to advocate for PCAA’s mission.  

While millions of children are reported to be facing violence by adults every year, only a fraction of those children receive the response and resources that they deserve. 

With every year comes more efforts to fight against child abuse, but that fight is far from over. While it is a cause that will likely take the strength of an army to end, community members can contribute to the prevention of such a prominent issue, even if the impact feels small. Donating, partaking in community events, volunteering and simply raising awareness about child abuse prevention are all ways for the community to help join the fight against violence against children.  

Awareness months like this serve as a reminder that everyone has a voice that can be used to draw attention to positive causes. Whether you are able to provide hours of volunteering to organizations in the area or you simply tell a friend about Child Abuse Prevention Month, you are able to make a difference and contribute to the end of child abuse in our area and world.  

Sources: 

About national child abuse prevention month. Child Welfare Information Gateway. (n.d.). https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventionmonth/about-national-child-abuse-prevention-month/  

Child abuse prevention month. PCAND. (n.d.). https://www.pcand.org/child-abuse-prevention-month?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery 

Ava Stockstad is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].