Child Abuse Prevention Month

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Published on Sunday, 25 March 2018 16:17

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

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The Andrew County Health Department would like to remind you anyone can and should report suspected child abuse ore neglect. Reporting child abuse and neglect is everyone's responsibility. If you think a child is being mistreated, take immediate action.

Call the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-3738 or 573-751-3448.

You also can call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453).

Error on the side of over-reporting. If you have the thought, "Maybe I should call . . . " - DO! Not all calls to the hotline are determined to be abuse/neglect. However, the Children's Division can often provide services and assistance that can help families prevent abuse.

The trauma of child abuse or neglect has been associated with increased risk of depression and suicide attempts, substance abuse, developmental disabilities and learning problems, social problems with other children and with adults, teen pregnancy, lack of success in school, and chronic illnesses, including heart disease, cancer and lung disease, among others.

When you call to make a report, you will be asked for specific information, such as: 

  • The child's name and location
  • The name and relationship (if known) of the person you believe is abusing the child.
  • What you have seen or heard regarding the abuse or neglect
  • The names of any other people who might know about the abuse
  • Your name and phone number (voluntary)

This project is/was funded in part by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Maternal and Child Health Services Contract #DH150006012 and is/was supported by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant #B04MC28109, Maternal and Child Health Services for $9,095,311, of which $0 is from non-governmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

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