National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child abuse is reported every 10 seconds in the United States. Each year, millions of referrals are made to child protection agencies. State agencies found over 656,000 victims of child maltreatment in 2019 alone. That’s why it’s so important for caregivers to learn about child abuse and how to help those affected by it.

Here’s how you can help a child abuse victim:

• Help the child to express their feelings.
• Be honest. Share what you know. It’s important for them to trust you.
• Restore the child’s sense of control.
• Be patient. It may be difficult for the child to put into words exactly what happened to them. Some child victims may experience regressive behaviors. This is normal and can be worked through with a therapist.

Centene is committed to creating a model foster care system that promotes well being and reduces the impact of abuse. That’s why we offer free training to support you in caring for children who have experienced trauma. There are a range of resources including interactive training sessions both in-person and online.

Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway for more tips and resources.