What can you do to prevent child abuse and neglect? Increase awareness!
In 1989, a grandmother tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her car, to show remembrance for her murdered grandson and also increase awareness of child abuse. Since then, a blue ribbon has been the symbol for the prevention of child abuse.
The month of April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and it’s a particular time to help the thousands of children that are threatened everyday. It also serves as a time to recognize the stresses and needs of parents. With support, child abuse can be stopped before it even starts.

Statistics in the United States
Three million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States alone, but experts believe the actual number is three times greater.
Four children die everyday as a result of child abuse.
1,500 children die every year from child abuse and neglect.
79% of the children killed are younger than 4.
A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.
Of the reported rapes of children under 12, 90% of the victims knew the perpetrator. Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely to abuse alcohol, and 3.8 times more likely to abuse drugs.
One-third of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own kids.
Children ages 0-3 are the most likely to experience abuse. About 1 in 50 U.S. infants are victims of nonfatal child abuse or neglect in a year.In 2003, there were 906,000 child abuse convictions
The rate of victimization is 12.3 children per 1,000 children
80% of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least 1 psychiatric disorder at the age of 21 (including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, & post-traumatic stress disorder).
Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.
Abused teens are 3 times less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs.
Children who experience child abuse and neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime.
14.4% of all men in prison in the United States were abused as children, and 36.7% of all women in prison were abused as children.
Nearly 2/3 of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children.
These statistics are from the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse & Neglect Information. Long-term Consequences of Child Abuse & Neglect 2005.
These statistics are from the Administration for Children & Families of the US Department of Health & Human Services “Child Maltreatment Report 2003”.
Statistics from Childhelp. [link]

So from now until the end of April, I’m asking you guys to make some art about child abuse, and the prevention of it. Any form of art acceptable on here is perfect. Pictures, drawings, digital art, writing, it doesn’t matter. Anything works. If you make a piece, send a link to my page (~Xxmusic-is-lifexX) with your art. All pieces will be featured in a later news article on April 30th.

Thanks guys!