News

News

The Link Between Child Abuse and Health

October 21, 2021

News

Many people are familiar with the concept of preventive medicine, which seeks to reduce a person’s risk of injury or disease before it happens rather than just treating the symptoms after they occur (which is the traditional, intervention-based approach). In addition to its theoretical appeal, the preventive approach has some tangible perks: people who take a prevention-based approach have increased lifespans and lower medical bills than people who don’t. 

Press Releases

Survey Finds Many Parents Concerned That Their Children Have Fallen Behind in School During Pandemic

October 18, 2021

Press Releases

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted school for millions of students, forcing many families to juggle online learning, and many parents are concerned that their children have fallen behind at school, according to a Family Snapshot Survey. These concerns can result in increased household stress, but they also may open opportunities to create positive family experiences as parents support children in their learning.

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Working Together to Prevent Child Abuse as Children Return to School 

September 22, 2021

News

To say that the COVID-19 pandemic has upended daily life is an understatement. For many of us, the pandemic has required that we reconfigure our whole lives—not only in terms of how we live and work but also in how we think of larger social issues. 

Statements & Messages

A Message from Dr. Merrick in Response to Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Examining the FBI’s Handling of the Larry Nassar Investigation

September 16, 2021

Statements & Messages

Courage. Bravery. Resilience. On Wednesday, September, 15, Olympic gymnasts McKayla Maroney, Simone Biles, Maggie Nichols, and Aly Raisman testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the FBI’s egregious handling of their initial reports of sexual abuse by then USA gymnastics team doctor, Larry Nassar. Their strength and courage is paving the way for other victims of sexual abuse to come forward, bring abuse into the light of day, and highlighting the gross failures of our youth serving systems in protecting children from harm. To these women and the countless other victims of sexual abuse, we see you, we hear you, we believe you, and we are doing all that we can to ensure that sexual abuse never occurs in the first place.

Press Releases

Family Snapshot Survey During Pandemic Looks at Stressors Placed on Families with Children with Special Health Care Needs

August 31, 2021

Press Releases

Despite the stress of the pandemic, most parents in households with at least one child with special health care needs felt close to their children during this time and did a variety of activities with them, according to a family snapshot survey. But families in these households also experienced several challenges, including high rates of disruption in day care, health care, and employment, and a loss of technological and therapeutic supports.

Press Releases

American Academy of Pediatrics Family Snapshot Survey Measures Domestic Violence, Discipline of Children During Pandemic

July 1, 2021

Press Releases

A national survey of thousands of families highlights the disruptions and financial stress experienced during the pandemic that may have affected parenting practices and relationships in the home. Spanking has been on the decline in the U.S. and the new study results align with that trend, although about half of parents reported yelling at or threatening their children in the week prior to the survey.

News

Long Term Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect

June 14, 2021

News

How many times have you heard adults say that children are resilient? That they have an innate ability to magically “bounce back” from any situation, regardless of how stressful. Recent work in child development and neuroscience increasingly suggests that children require safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments to thrive. Evidence shows that stress and trauma, especially when prolonged, can interrupt healthy child development, putting them at risk for lifelong health issues.

Press Releases

New Report Recommends States Introduce Laws to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, Strengthen Child Safety in Schools & Youth Organizations

June 2, 2021

Press Releases

Chicago—Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) announced today the release of A Call to Action for Policymakers and Advocates: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Legislation in the States, a new report detailing the need for executive and legislative efforts in all 50 states to prevent child sexual abuse. The 116-page report, authored by Jetta Bernier, executive director of MassKids, the Massachusetts chapter of PCA America and site of the Enough Abuse Campaign, documents specific policies geared towards the prevention of sexual abuse of children and youth in schools and youth organizations nationwide.

Statements & Messages

A Message from Dr. Merrick Supporting the Health, Safety, and Well-being of Transgender and Non-binary Youth and Families   

May 6, 2021

Statements & Messages

Sixteen states are considering legislation that would restrict physicians from providing medically necessary gender-affirming care to youth, and one state recently enacted such a law. Several of these bills would also criminalize parents who affirm their children’s gender identity, defining such affirmation as child abuse. These laws stand in direct opposition to the evidence-based care recognized by numerous professional societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, Endocrine Society, and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Press Releases

National Partnership to Reinvent Child Welfare Expands to Additional States; Now in 22 Locales

April 21, 2021

Press Releases

Thriving Families, Safer Children: A National Commitment to Well-Being—a first-of-its-kind effort of the U.S. Children’s Bureau, Casey Family Programs, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Prevent Child Abuse America—has expanded its reach to include child welfare jurisdictions in 22 states that stretch from coast to coast and a sovereign tribal nation. In announcing the addition of sites in 16 states, the District of Columbia and White Earth Nation, Thriving Families’ national partner leads are signaling the growing momentum to fundamentally rethink child welfare by creating the conditions and support systems for strong, thriving families where children are free from harm and supported in their communities.