Learn More & Prevent Abuse

Prevention

The tragedy of child abuse and neglect is ultimately preventable. Parents, educators, community organizations, governments and even ordinary citizens of Niagara can take action every day to protect children. Here are some excellent prevention strategies:

 

Parents

● Talk openly with your child that is your job to protect him/her and teach them that no adult should ever be abusive towards children.

● Understand that physical punishment of children plays no useful role in their upbringing and poses only risks to their development.

● Be a calm(er) parent. Learn anger management techniques to ensure non-abusive, constructive, corrective discipline.

 

Educators

● A teacher may be the only professional adult that an abused child comes in contact with on a regular basis.

● They can help children by creating a predictable environment, listening to students’ stories, and offering an emotionally safe place for all children to learn.

● Reinforce parent messaging that no adult should bring harm to any child.

 

Community Organizations

● Train staff on how to look out and respond to potential child abuse signs.

● Minimize opportunity: implement policies to prevent occasions where adults and children are in a one-on-one situation.

● Join the hundreds of Canadian organizations and prominent individuals in endorsing the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth.

 

Government

● Support public awareness campaigns that promote healthy parenting and child safety topics.

● Support the development of universal parenting education.

● Develop curriculum to help our schools implement programs geared towards child abuse prevention.

 

Concerned Citizens

● Volunteer or financially support organizations that strive to end child abuse in Niagara.

● Use your voice and your vote to make your community a safer place for children.

● Know your neighbours and help keep it safe (e.g. Neighbourhood Watch programs).