National Child Abuse Prevention Month

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Published on Sunday, 31 March 2019 10:29

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

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The Andrew County Health Department would like to remind you anyone can and should report suspected child abuse ore neglect. Reporting child abuse and neglect is everyone's responsibility. If you think a child is being mistreated, take immediate action.

Call the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-3738 or 573-751-3448.

You also can call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453).

Error on the side of over-reporting. If you have the thought, "Maybe I should call . . . " - DO! Not all calls to the hotline are determined to be abuse/neglect. However, the Children's Division can often provide services and assistance that can help families prevent abuse.

The trauma of child abuse or neglect has been associated with increased risk of depression and suicide attempts, substance abuse, developmental disabilities and learning problems, social problems with other children and with adults, teen pregnancy, lack of success in school, and chronic illnesses, including heart disease, cancer and lung disease, among others.

When you call to make a report, you will be asked for specific information, such as: 

  • The child's name and location
  • The name and relationship (if known) of the person you believe is abusing the child.
  • What you have seen or heard regarding the abuse or neglect
  • The names of any other people who might know about the abuse
  • Your name and phone number (voluntary)

For your baby

Breastfeeding promotes mother and baby bonding.  During the skin-to-skin that happens while nursing, mothers release a powerful cocktail of calming hormones, including oxytocin – often referred to as the ‘love hormone’ or ‘cuddle chemical’.  Released whenever they are close to their newborn, or even when a mother simply smells or thinks about her baby, this clever hormone helps moms adjust to motherhood in a number of ways.  It enhances her ‘mothering behaviors’ – things like caressing, making eye contact, and using affectionate language with her child.  It also has anti-anxiety and anti-depressive properties, and may help protect against postnatal depression.

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