Child Abuse Prevention
Why is Child & Family Resources invested in highlighting Child Abuse Prevention Month?
Some statistics: Child Abuse in Arizona (2022 report, updated 2024)1
- There were a reported 9954 child victims of abuse in 2020; that’s every 6 out of 1,000 children in Arizona. This is a 23% decrease since 2016, thanks to programs like Healthy Families, Prevention Programs for Youth and other resources available through CFR.
- Of all the child victims in Arizona, 88% of abusers were biological parents.
- 452 Arizona infants were exposed to harmful substances prenatally.
- There were a reported 22,258 children in the Arizona foster care system.
- 2,905 children were adopted, with an astonishing 3,643 still waiting to be adopted.
- Children in foster care waited approximately 26.3 months to be adopted – that’s more that 2 years!
- 438,000 children are currently living in poverty; that’s 27% of children in Arizona
- 288,950 of Arizona’s children experience struggles with food stability and hunger
What can you do to help Arizona’s children blossom and thrive?
- Use our toolkit for social media to amplify the conversation surrounding Child Abuse Prevention Month
- Make a tax-deductible donation to Child & Family Resources at any point during the year. We are an Arizona non-profit, and your dollars go to funding programs, supplies and help for everyday families.
- Shop and purchase your official Blue Shirt today! Your dollars go toward child abuse prevention methods and programming.
- Wear and share your blue shirts all month long to participate in our raffle, Learn more here: Early Intervention Arizona | Child & Family Resources
- Like and Follow us on social media for more resources, connections and community all year long!
- Plant a Pinwheel in your yard to signify that you stand against child abuse and stand with Child & Family Resources.
- Read about our Champions for Children Award winners of 2025!
- Join us for our Program Round-Up on April 5, 2025 at the Children’s Museum Tucson!
Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect
Aside from physical injuries children endure through maltreatment, the emotional and mental reaction to that abuse can be a lifelong battle. The outcomes for each child may vary widely and are affected by a combination of factors, including the child’s age and developmental status when the maltreatment occurred; the type, frequency, duration, and severity of the maltreatment; and the relationship between the child and the perpetrator. Some examples of long term effects on a child due to Child abuse and neglect:
- Stunt physical development of a child’s brain which can lead to psychological problems, like low-self esteem
- Childhood maltreatment has been linked to higher risk for a wide range of long-term and/or future health problems, including—but not limited to—the following: Diabetes, Lung Disease, Malnutrition, vision problems, functional limitations, arthritis, back problems, high blood pressure, brain damage, migraine headaches, chronic bronchitis, cancer, stroke, bowl disease, chronic fatigue syndrome etc.
- Child abuse and neglect can cause a variety of psychological problems; . Researchers have identified links between child abuse and neglect and the following psychological outcomes: Diminished executive functioning and cognitive skills, Poor mental and emotional health, Attachment and social difficulties, Posttraumatic stress, Toxic stress, etc.
- Victims of child abuse and neglect often exhibit behavioral difficulties even after the maltreatment ends. These behaviors can look like unhealthy sexual practices, juvenile delinquency leading to adult criminality, alcohol and other drug use, future perpetration of maltreatment, etc.
Resources
If you or anyone you know is in need of help, please contact 911 or your local police if it is immediate danger or need help right away.
Other resources include:
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Children’s Advocacy Center
- Arizona Child Abuse Hotline: 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445)
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
- Care Portal: the needs of hurting children and families in your community to your attention.
The Importance
National Child Abuse Prevention month aims to raise awareness and highlight strategies in which we can prevent child abuse across the world. It encourages action and support for organizations that support the cause, it breaks the stigma around the topic and creates a safer place for children to grow up loved and to feel secure with their life.
