For example, if you determine that an adult is abusing a child in any way, your facility may require you to notify Child Protective Services or the police. Or if you suspect that a family is at risk for abuse, refer them to a social worker or other appropriate resources for help. In most states, Child Protective Services follows through on reported cases. An ounce of prevention The complex nature of child abuse doesn't allow for easy solutions. But nurses who work with children and families in various health care, education, and social service settings can play a key role in stopping neglect and abuse before they begin.
Primary prevention targets the general population.
Public service announcements encourage positive discipline techniques, media campaigns tell people how and where to report suspected abuse, and parent-education programs teach parents about child development and parenting skills. Seize your opportunities to teach and model behaviors in clinic settings, Lamaze classes, home visits, and parenting groups. The following case shows how one nurse made a difference for a new mother and her child. The nurse sees that Lisa appears to be a loving, caring mother, but she looks haggard. She complains that she feels overwhelmed and that once this week she actually felt angry at her daughter for crying.