National Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Awareness MOnth
National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM) is observed annually in the United States during the month of April. It serves as a dedicated time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect, as well as to emphasize the importance of communities working together to support and strengthen families while preventing child maltreatment12.
Throughout the year, communities are encouraged to:
Increase awareness about child and family well-being.
Collaborate on effective strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Implement initiatives that support families and promote child safety.
The observance of NCAPM is carried out in partnership with various organizations, including the Federal Inter-Agency Work Group on Child Abuse and Neglect and families with lived expertise. Funding and support for child abuse prevention activities are authorized by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). CAPTA provides resources to states for prevention, assessment, investigation, prosecution, and treatment related to child abuse and neglect. Additionally, it offers grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for demonstration programs and projects1.
Key highlights from the Child Maltreatment 2022 report include:
Approximately 1.9 million children received prevention services.
Over half of victims received post-response services.
It’s essential to recognize the critical work of community-based agencies that provide additional services to families, helping keep children safe and supporting their overall well-being. For more information and resources related to child abuse and neglect, you can visit the State Child Abuse & Neglect Policies Database1.
