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										Child abuse and neglect are serious problems that can have lasting harmful effects on victims. CDC’s goal is to stop child abuse and neglect from happening in the first place.
Child abuse and neglect are complex problems rooted in unhealthy relationships and environments. Preventing child abuse and neglect requires addressing risk and protective factors at the individual, relational, community, and societal levels.
CDC developed a resource, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Resource for Action [4 MB, 50 Pages] to help states and communities use the best available evidence to prevent and reduce child abuse and neglect. This resource is available in English and Spanish [21 MB, 52 Pages, 508] and can impact individual behaviors and the relationship, family, school, community, and societal factors that influence risk and protective factors for violence. Effective prevention strategies focus on modifying policies, practices, and societal norms to create safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. The strategies and their corresponding approaches are presented in the table below.
Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect
Preventing Child Abuse and NeglectStrategy
ApproachStrengthen economic supports to families
Strengthening household financial security
Family-friendly work policiesChange social norms to support parents and positive parenting
Public engagement and education campaigns
Legislative approaches to reduce corporal punishmentProvide quality care and education early in life
Preschool enrichment with family engagement
Improved quality of child care through licensing and accreditationEnhance parenting skills to promote healthy child development
Early childhood home visitation
Parenting skill and family relationship approachesIntervene to lessen harms and prevent future risk
Enhanced primary care
Behavioral parent training programs
Treatment to lessen harms of abuse and neglect exposure
Treatment to prevent problem behavior and later involvement in violence

**See Child Abuse and Neglect Resources****for more publications, data sources, and other resources about preventing child abuse and neglect.**
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							Last Reviewed:  April 6, 2022						Source: 	National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention
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