Dear Editor,
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, the St. Croix Child Abuse & Neglect Task Force encourages individuals and organizations to play a role in making St. Croix a better place for children and families, by ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children. We can help prevent child abuse and neglect by making meaningful connections with children, youth and families in our community.
Research shows that protective factors are present in healthy families. Promoting these factors is among the most effective ways to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. They are: (1) nurturing and attachment, (2) knowledge of parenting, and of child and youth development, (3) parent resilience, (4) social connections, (5) concrete supports for parents, and (6) social and emotional competence of children.
“April is a time to celebrate the important role that our community plays in protecting children and strengthening families,” said Clema S. Lewis, Chairperson of the St. Croix Child Abuse & Neglect Task Force. Everyone’s participation is critical. Focusing on ways to connect with families is the best thing our community can do to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.
The Women’s Coalition of St. Croix (WCSC) offers free, weekly parenting skills classes. Contact WCSC for more information at (340) 773-9272.
Written By: Clema S. Lewis, Chairperson Child Abuse and Neglect Task Force
Tags: 2016, April, child abuse prevention, us virgin islands
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