chapter 18: prevention

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Chapter 18Prevention

Understanding Child Abuse and NeglectEighth Edition

Cynthia Crosson-Tower

Slides by Lynne Kellner, Fitchburg State College

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Levels of Prevention

• Primary: attempt to educate the general population in order to prevent maltreatment

• Secondary: effort directed toward high-risk populations

• Tertiary: intervention to prevent abuse and neglect from continuing


Components of Child Empowerment Models

• Life skills training: coping and crisis management skills, and socialization and decision-making skills; builds positive self-image

• Preparation for parenthood: child development, parenting skills, and normal sex education

• Self-protection training: child abuse prevention curriculum

• Educational services for the community: workshops, self-help groups, and adult education

• Help for at-risk families: minimize stressors; increase coping skills; after-school programs


Parent Education Models

• Improve coping skills, teach child development and communication skills, and increase ability to access resources

• Many home visiting programs use paraprofessionals supervised by professional staff

• Identify at-risk parents prenatally; evaluate needs, strengths, and supports

• Parent-child screening• Parent support groups


Characteristics of Effective Home Visitation Programs

• Long term (6 months-3 years)

• Offer frequent contacts

• Connect with parent(s) before or soon after the birth of their child

• Professionals provide the majority of services

• Program has a clear “theory of change”

• Developmental focus

• Comprehensive services


Prevention Efforts by Professionals

• Recognize and report child abuse and neglect

• Shift focus from recognizing abuse to recognizing risk factors and early intervention

• Participate in school safety programs

• Increase awareness of child pornography


Prevention Efforts within the Community

• Public service announcements and pamphlets to educate the community

• Consumer families recognize the need for knowledge, and voluntarily sign up for educational efforts

• Dependent families need help learning about resources; need outreach and follow-up

• Resistant families: dysfunctional families; parenting deficits; resistant to change

chapter 18: prevention

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