health

Prevention of child abuse is a long-term process that requires participation
by individuals, families, communities, and the health care and legal
systems. Some programs that are yielding good results include home visitation
programs aimed at reducing violence in families; foster grandparent
programs; educating young parents about children’s needs and
normal developmental patterns; support groups for single or stressed parents;
hotlines for reporting child abuse; and public awareness programs.
Other preventive strategies include teaching children to identify
abnormal and abusive behaviors and to report them to family members
or other appropriate adults. This approach often helps to identify family
members with abusive tendencies before serious injury occurs.