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.
