April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

772,000 children were victims of child abuse and neglect, a rate of 10.3 per 1,000 children with a rate of 13.9 per 1000 for Native American/Alaska Native children -the second highest rate of victimization of any ethnic group.

• Almost a third of the victims are younger than four years old.
• More than three million reports of suspected child abuse and neglect were received in 2008, involving six million children nationwide.
• More than 8000 cases reported annually are of AIAN race and ethnicity (equal to 22 cases a day). Click on this link to see table. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Low SES impacts child maltreatment rates, while sexual abuse when specifically analyzed occurs across all strata.
• National economic situation places more families and communities at risk.

National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (2008)

This month has been dedicated to raising the awareness about child abuse and neglect and encouraging individuals and communities to work together to prevent child maltreatment in all its forms. Neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse are the most common types of maltreatment.

Indian Health Service is working with the communities and multidisciplinary teams to provide preventive, medical, mental, and social services for abused and neglected children. It is important that those who work in the field recognize the signs of abuse and neglect and know how and where to report child maltreatment.

Listed below are hotline numbers and key links with helpful information about child maltreatment.

• Childhelp™ National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
• National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-HIT-HOME (1-800-448-4663)
• National Runaway Switchboard: 1-800-621-4000 (a referral service for youth in personal crisis)
• State Child Abuse Reporting Numbers (Child Welfare Information Gateway) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month (Child Welfare Information Gateway) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Child Maltreatment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Childhelp™ Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau. (2010). Child Maltreatment 2008 released. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Child Abuse and Neglect Resources (Tribal Court Clearinghouse) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Indian Country Child Trauma Center Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Native American Children's Alliance (NACA) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov