7 Organizations Fighting Child Abuse and Neglect
Children depend on adults for everything from food and shelter to affection and emotional support. In an ideal world, every child would grow up in a safe and loving environment. Unfortunately, many kids are abused or neglected by their caregivers, which can be extremely harmful to their development especially if it's left unchecked. That's why organizations like the ones listed here work to prevent this maltreatment before it happens, help children who are currently being maltreated, and give those who have experienced this trauma treatment so they can recover. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
Groups That Protect Children From Abuse & Neglect
| Organization | Headquarters Location | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children | Boston, MA | Protect and promote the rights and well-being of children and families |
| The Parent Child Center of Tulsa | Tulsa, OK | Prevent child abuse and neglect through education, treatment, and advocacy |
| Tennyson Center for Children | Denver, CO | Help children who have experienced severe abuse, neglect, and/or trauma so they can bravely, and safely, change their life’s story |
| SAFEchild | Raleigh, NC | Eliminate child abuse in Wake County by helping build strong families and creating healthy, nurturing environments that allow children to thrive |
| Family & Children's Services | Tulsa, OK | Promote, support, and strengthen the well-being and behavioral health of adults, children, and families |
| Nebraska Children and Families Foundation | Lincoln, NE | Create positive change for Nebraska's children through community engagement |
| Casa Pacifica | Camarillo, CA | Provide hope and help for abused, neglected, or at-risk children and their families |
How To Report Child Abuse
If you suspect or know that a child is being abused or neglected, you should report it as soon as you can. If someone is in immediate danger, you can call 911. Otherwise, there are national and local resources that can give you the help and information you need to report suspected maltreatment. The Child Welfare Information Gateway has a number of resources available on their website.
Child Maltreatment Statistics
As of 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- The national rounded number of children who received a child protective services investigation response or alternative response increased 10% from 2013 to 2017
- 74.9% of maltreated children are neglected
- 18.3% of maltreated children are physically abused
- 8.6% of maltreated children are sexually abused
- Approximately 1,720 children died of abuse and neglect in 2017
- 77.6% of perpetrators are a parent of their victim
- Approximately 1.9 million children received prevention services in 2017
5 Types Of Child Maltreatment
- Neglect
- Physical Abuse
- Psychological Maltreatment
- Emotional Maltreatment
- Sexual Abuse
What Are Child Abuse And Neglect?
In Depth
Childhood represents one of the most critical times in our lives, and the experiences we have during these formative years shape the people we become as we grow older. Unfortunately, some young people are dealt a bad hand in life, forced to contend with maltreatment, trauma, and other difficult issues from an early age. If you are interested in learning about the work being done to help these vulnerable individuals, then here are, in no particular order, seven organizations fighting child abuse and neglect.
At #1 is Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Founded in 1878, this nonprofit is committed to protecting and preserving the rights and overall welfare of children and families. Aiming to create a nurturing, stable environment for young people, MSPCC concentrates on the needs of both the child and the parent to prevent abuse. With a wide array of services available, it strives to minimize the effects of what are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences, a term that indicates traumatic events like neglect, domestic violence, and household mental illness.
In support of its mission, MSPCC provides a variety of programs and services for the residents of Massachusetts. Healthy Families, for example, is a free, home-based family coaching program, partnering with first-time parents during pregnancy and the first three years of a child's life. Elsewhere, the Family Resource Center provides critical information on topics like education, legal help, and summer camps. Furthermore, MSPCC teams up with other organizations in public policy advocacy, zeroing in on issues like children in foster care. If you are interested in getting involved, consider signing up to volunteer or receive action alerts.
If you are interested in getting involved, consider signing up to volunteer or receive action alerts.
Coming in at #2 is The Parent Child Center of Tulsa. Officially established in 1990 but with roots going back to 1972, this organization works to combat child abuse and neglect through education, treatment, and advocacy. It seeks to equip parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to properly care for their kids through what it calls pathways of hope, which help clients achieve their goals.
The Parent Child Center of Tulsa focuses its efforts on a few key areas, including community education, intensive outreach for families, therapeutic services, and strategic partnerships. Specifically, it offers programs like Kids on the Block, an educational experience for students in elementary schools that covers topics such as bullying, stranger awareness, and divorce, and Parents as Teachers, a home-based family-support service. If you wish to find out more about this organization, you can sign up to take an informational tour or even donate a needed item from its wishlist.
In the #3 spot is Tennyson Center for Children. Based in Colorado, this nonprofit is dedicated to helping kids and families receive the services and resources that will enable them to heal and prosper. Across a range of programs, TCC has, for over a century, worked with young people to undo the damage of abuse and neglect. In addition, it remains active in the field of prevention, striving to protect children from experiencing maltreatment.
In addition, it remains active in the field of prevention, striving to protect children from experiencing maltreatment.
TCC provides a number of services for its clients. For those between the ages of five and eighteen who have experienced abuse, mental health problems, or developmental issues, there is a twenty-four-hour residential treatment program, as well as a day treatment option. The Community-Based Services program, meanwhile, is an intensive in-home service that gives children with mental health diagnoses and behaviors access to therapy. For families in need of immediate help, TCC offers a Crisis Response Team designed to provide in-home stabilization. If you want to get involved with Tennyson Center for Children, consider attending one of its upcoming events or donating.
At #4 is SAFEchild, based in Raleigh. With its name standing for "Stop Abuse For Every child," this nonprofit works to prevent and eliminate child abuse and neglect in Wake County, North Carolina. Established in 1992, it reaches almost 9,000 children and families through parenting programs each year. Believing in the strength and importance of the family, it seeks to empower parents and caregivers to be the best guardians they can be.
SAFEchild runs a diverse series of programs for families in the area. Funny Tummy Feelings, for instance, reaches nearly 13,000 first graders each year and teaches them how to protect themselves from abuse and say "no" effectively. At the same time, Moms Supporting Moms gives new mothers a space to meet in-person weekly and help each other out. Furthermore, it publishes and collects a comprehensive amount of resources on its website, with information on topics from indicators of child maltreatment to postpartum mental health. Those who are interested in supporting this organization can inquire about volunteering online.
At the same time, Moms Supporting Moms gives new mothers a space to meet in-person weekly and help each other out.
Coming in at #5 is Family & Children's Services, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Since 1921, it has worked to improve the well-being and behavioral health of young people, adults, and families. Today, it is active with a number of populations, including abused and neglected children, families in need of support, and people dealing with mental illness and addiction. Each year, it reaches over 120,000 individuals in the Tulsa area.
F&CS offers numerous opportunities to better the quality of life for kids in the region. Children who have experienced abuse or trauma can access different types of therapy, from trauma-focused CBT to play therapy, in child-friendly offices or, in some cases, in their own homes. F&CS also runs a variety of educational classes that touch on issues like anger management and helping kids cope with divorce. If you are interested in getting involved with Family & Children's Services, you can hold your own fundraiser or buy or donate items at its thrift store.
At #6 is Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. A state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, this nonprofit, established in 1997, endeavors to create an environment in which all young people are supported and have the ability to thrive. Nebraska Children operates using a philosophy based on two core beliefs: one, that prevention works; and two, that using a community's existing resources when working towards a common goal increases their effectiveness.
Nebraska Children operates using a philosophy based on two core beliefs: one, that prevention works; and two, that using a community's existing resources when working towards a common goal increases their effectiveness.
Some of Nebraska Children's specific initiatives include Camp Catch-Up, a weekend camp that reunites siblings who have been placed in different foster homes across the state, and Bring Up Nebraska, a statewide prevention partnership that works to strengthen families without involving the child welfare system. It also has created and shared its own Community Collaborative Toolkit to assist outside organizations at various stages of development. Those who wish to support this nonprofit can sign up to volunteer as Friends of Nebraska Children.
Last but not least, at #7 is Casa Pacifica. Based in California, Casa Pacifica provides youth and family services to those who have suffered from abuse and neglect, substance abuse, homelessness, and other behavioral and mental health issues. With offices in Camarillo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria, it works with over 2,100 children and their families each year, stressing its four core values of respect, integrity, courage, and compassion.
With a twenty-five-acre campus, Casa Pacifica offers a wide array of services, including residential treatment and therapeutic programs for young people. Elsewhere, Safe Alternatives for Treating Youth provides a mobile crisis response in Santa Barbara County, specializing in areas such as crisis intervention and in-home support. If you are interested in getting involved with Casa Pacifica, you can sign up to attend one of its many events or even volunteer at Cloud 9, its on-campus student store.
