Prevention refers to the ways we keep kids safe and healthy. We can take on the reasons that abuse or neglect happen to keep it from happening in the first place. This is called primary prevention.
Together, we can build protective factors that strengthen families and communities. At the same time, we must address the factors that put kids and families at risk.
When we support children and families before abuse or neglect happens, we keep them healthier in the long run. Keeping all kids safe and healthy also builds healthier and more productive futures for everyone. This means individuals and society won’t have to deal with the long-term impacts and cost of abuse and neglect.
If we could eliminate adversity in childhood, including abuse and neglect, not only would kids be safer now, but over a lifetime:
In 2023, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families found that 2.9 out of 1,000 children in Wisconsin were victims of confirmed child abuse or neglect. This tells us that we need to do more to keep kids, families, and communities safe, healthy and thriving.
Child abuse happens when someone caring for a child intentionally hurts them. Abuse can be physical, sexual or neglect. Learn more about child abuse through KidsHealth or Wisconsin Department of Children in Families.
Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin (PCAW) is the state chapter of the national organization Prevent Child Abuse America. PCAW builds community resources, provides training and public awareness, and carries out advocacy activities to strengthen child abuse prevention efforts across the state.
Contact Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin
Phone: (920) 381-8542
Fax: (920) 969-7975
Email: pcaw@childrenswi.org
Facebook: Child Abuse Prevention - Children's Wisconsin
Mission
Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin builds community resources, provides training and public awareness, and carries out advocacy activities in order to strengthen child abuse prevention efforts in Wisconsin.
Together for Children Conference
The Greg and Mary Ann Renz Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect
April's Child Abuse Prevention Month is Transforming to Family Strengthening Month
Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. Please join us in promoting the safety and wellbeing of Wisconsin children.
Here is the 2025 Family Strengthening Month toolkit. This gives information to help communities, organizations and businesses to plan a family strengthening awareness campaign and/or event during April.
Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin is a Program of Children's Wisconsin
Children are the foundation of our society, our community and our future. Children raised in loving and supportive environments are more likely to prosper academically and financially, becoming successful contributing members of society. Research has shown the most effective way to prevent child abuse and neglect is to provide support to families so children can grow up in an environment that supports their wellbeing. Preventing child abuse and neglect results in better childhoods, ultimately saving millions of dollars currently needed for the services that address the short and long-term effects of abuse on children, their families, and our communities.
Awareness to Action is an initiative focused on preventing child sexual abuse by helping adults and communities take action to protect children through:
Learn more about Awareness to Action (A2A).
