Ways to Take Action Against Child Abuse During April and All Year Long
Each year, communities like ours come together during April to create awareness and identify actionable ways we can prevent child maltreatment through National Child Abuse Prevention month. This work is critically linked to the steps we take every day of the year at CASA Central Virginia.
According to Families Forward Virginia metrics, throughout 2024, 53,440 children were reported as possible victims of abuse or neglect in Virginia as part of a total of 33,847 completed reports handled by Virginia’s city and county departments of social services. These reports included 854 reports of substance-exposed infants, 1,585 reports involving an out-of-family setting, and 10 human trafficking assessments. These metrics can be daunting, but they are vital in capturing the work to be done and the ways community members can collectively take action to protect children. Behind each report is one of the over 100,000+ persons who reported suspected child abuse or neglect to local and state departments of social service. Educators, the medical community, law enforcement, child care providers, relatives, and more each played a pivotal role in keeping children safe.
At CASA Central Virginia, we also know that behind each of those metrics is an individual child with a beloved toy, a favorite meal, a dream for “when they grow up;” a child who might be experiencing a period of tremendous instability; a child who needs a trusted adult to stand with them, ensuring they do not have to face uncertainty alone, for as long as it takes until they are permanently in a place where they can thrive. This is our commitment to the children we serve, and this commitment propels forward our work at CASA each and every day.
Here are ways that you can take action this April and all year long.
Become a CASA volunteer - visit www.cvcasa.org/volunteer to register for an information session.
Support CASA with a donation - every donation helps recruit, train, and support volunteers to advocate for the children we serve. Plus every donation during March and April plants a pinwheel in our virtual pinwheel garden - visit www.cvcasa.org/donate.
Spread awareness - Share CASA’s mission on social media and help others understand the impact of child abuse and neglect.
Invite CASA to speak at your church, business, or civic group.