News

Disparities in Child Abuse Trauma

A Message from Dr. Melissa Merrick in Response to Texas AG Opinion on Gender-Affirming Care

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently issued an opinion classifying medically necessary gender-affirming care to youth as child abuse. AG Paxton’s statement stands 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.

Child Abuse and Domestic Violence: Connections and Common Factors

Domestic violence and child abuse tend to be portrayed as self-contained, singular problems. In fact, the opposite is true. According to research presented by the Resource Center on Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody, approximately 30-60% of families in which either child maltreatment or adult domestic violence is occurring also experience the other form of violence. In short, there is a clear connection between domestic violence and child abuse. 

A Message from Dr. Merrick on Investing in Children & Families through the Build Back Better Act

Prevent Child Abuse America supports the following historic investments in families included in the Build Back Better Act.

The Link Between Child Abuse and Health

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. 

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

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.

Working Together to Prevent Child Abuse as Children Return to School 

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. 

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.