Child abuse remains a social issue and has since the beginning of time and is a difficult topic to stop. As child abuse primarily occurs behind closed doors and in a family’s home, it continues to be a challenging issue to put to a full stop.
Child abuse has additionally become a hidden issue throughout time as it received a negative connotation. Over time, society decided that child abuse is a topic that is easier to ignore than talk about.
While one person cannot demolish child abuse in its entirety by themselves, there are ways for individuals, members of the community, and larger groups to help put an end to this issue.
From an individual perspective, child abuse is a huge issue to grasp. One of the most effective ways for an individual to contribute to the prevention and end of child abuse is to become educated on the topic. Learning the signs of child abuse and ways to prevent it can play a big factor in being able to identify a dangerous situation and also allows you to educate and inform others.Volunteering can be an easy way to make a difference. Organizations such as CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, of New Jersey offers a program for individuals over the age of 21 who is a CASA volunteer to become a court appointed special advocate. This program advocates for children removed from their families due to abuse or neglect and allows CASA members to be a voice for these children in court. CASA members speak for the children when the children cannot do so for themselves. They also provide a support system for these child victims and a friend during tough times. CASA is available in 49 US States, as well as the District of Columbia. CASA is just one of thousands of child abuse organizations that provide volunteer options and ways to help.
From a community level, or even a college level, educating and informing is also an effective way to bring attention to the issue of child abuse. Creating programs and events that inform and advocate for victims and survivors of child abuse can also have a meaningful impact to the social issue. These events also act as larger platforms to communicate, educate, and inform from to spread the word about child abuse. Getting professions such as nurses and social workers to present at events can be a big help to helping future students in these majors identify signs of child abuse and neglect. Forming other events to educate and advocate for children can also be a big movement for this audience. Some events may consist of creating support groups for survivors, or an anti-stigma event that stops the stigma and informs the audience.
From a national level, big movements and governmental and Congress can implement laws in regards to child abuse. Big movements can be helpful to bring awareness to child abuse and provide advocacy fore many individuals that cannot speak up for themselves. Movements often bring attention to social issues and gain the support of a majority of society. Creating laws is also an effective national-level solution to child abuse as it regulates the issue stronger, allows resources to be allocated to ending the issue, and shows that at a national level, the issue is an important one to end. Introduced in May of 2019, the H.R.2480- Stronger Child Abuse Prevention introduced and pushed to reauthorize the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, CAPTA. While all parties have shown to want to end child abuse, Democrats typically have more votes of putting an end to it.
At all levels education on the the topic is important as it allows individuals to inform others and bring awareness to the issue. Becoming an advocate for victims and survivors of child abuse is aa helpful means of bringing attention to the cruelty of child abuse and allows others voices to be heard, even if they cannot do so for themselves. Consistent and progressive movements are essential to putting an end to child abuse.
Child abuse is an age-old social issue but many things can be done to help put an end to it. Bringing awareness to the issue is an essential way to help stop child abuse from occurring.