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:
- Anxiety could be reduced by 56%.
- Suicide & life dissatisfaction could decrease by 67%.
- Work productivity could increase by 61%.
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.