Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

196 Shares
196 Shares
April

Child Abuse Awareness Month – April 2024

Every year, Child Abuse Awareness Month is observed in April to recognize the efforts made by our communities and families in bringing up this issue in front of the world. Did you know that every one out of seven children in the U.S has experienced physical and sexual abuse? During this month, as well as the whole year, citizens are encouraged to raise the issue of child abuse and the well-being of children and families around the country.

History of Child Abuse Awareness Month

 

The first National Child Abuse Awareness Month was declared by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. The declaration was given through the efforts of Child help founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson. 

After four years, April was formally established as the Child Abuse Prevention Month by President Ronald Reagan. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services requests the communities to actively take part in preventing child abuse and be supportive of the well-being of families. The federal government of the United States gives funds in support of child abuse cause.

According to a report, 646,000 children became the victims of child abuse and another 1580 children died due to child abuse. It was also found that most of the cases could have been prevented through community support and programs. In reality, four million referrals are sent to Child Protection Services agencies showing concerns of abuse involving over six million children.

Child abuse was first recognized in the twentieth century. The cases of child abuse are found more in developed countries rather than in developing countries.  However, children have been beaten and physically abused for thousands of years, due to the belief that a child is a property of a parent.

Child Abuse Awareness Month timeline

1450
Unwanted Children are Forced to Work

In the Middle Ages, unwanted children are forced to work or given to convents and monasteries.

1874
First Child Abuse Case

In the U.S., the first case of child abuse is taken into account.

1922
Society for Child Abuse Prevention

57 societies for the prevention of being cruel to children and 307 societies responsible for the welfare of children were established.

1983
Child Abuse Awareness Month is Observed.

A month-long initiative for child abuse prevention is celebrated after a presidential proclamation.

Child Abuse Awareness Month FAQs

What are the four types of child maltreatment?

The four types of abuse are physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect.

What is the most difficult kind of abuse to substantiate?

The most difficult kind of abuse to substantiate is verbal abuse.

What type of abuse is the hardest to detect?

Emotional abuse is often mixed with other forms of abuse and is hard to detect.

How to Observe Child Abuse Awareness Month

  1. Encourage children to speak up against child abuse

    Encourage your children or the children living in your community to speak up if they have been mistreated or sexually abused.

  2. Promote prevention of mistreatment of children

    Promote the prevention of child abuse through social media or webinars.

  3. Volunteer to work for child abuse protection organizations

    Find out about the organizations working for child abuse prevention and contribute to helping this cause on your part by working for them.

5 Interesting Facts About Child Abuse

  1. It causes many problems

    Victims of child abuse are at a risk for emotional, physical, relationship problems.

  2. There are various types

    Common types of child abuse include emotional abuse, physical assault, and sexual assault.

  3. Alcohol abuse is a big contributor

    Parents abusing alcohol and drugs are more likely to neglect and abuse their children.

  4. Abuse causes social problems

    Abused children are not able to express emotions safely.

  5. It has the same rates among all genders

    Boys and girls face similar rates of child abuse.

Why Do We Observe Child Abuse Awareness Month

  1. It helps to predict child abuse signs

    Child Abuse Awareness Month helps in making us learn about the signs of child abuse. It lets us study the behavior of an abused child.

  2. Every child deserves a safe childhood

    We believe that every child should have a secure childhood. Child Abuse Awareness month emphasizes greatly on protecting our children from mistreatment of any kind.

  3. The children grow up to become good human beings

    Children who have experienced a safe childhood grow up to become happy and well-behaved

Child Abuse Awareness Month dates

YearDateDay
2024April 1Monday
2025April 1Tuesday
2026April 1Wednesday
2027April 1Thursday
2028April 1Saturday
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Blue Ribbon Week
Golden Rule Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
Medication Safety Week
National Bake Week
National Cancer Registrars Week
National Public Health Week
National Window Safety Week
Take Your Poet to School Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
April Fools' Day
Assyrian New Year
Boomer Bonus Days
Community Garden Week
Cyprus National Holiday
Dyngus Day
Easter Monday
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
International Fun at Work Day
International Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Lupus Alert Day
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Fun Day
National Greeting Card Day
National Loyal Day
National One Cent Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
National Trombone Players Day
Nature Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Odisha Day
Reading is Funny Day
St. Stupid Day
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
White House Easter Egg Roll
Adopt a Ferret Month
Adopt a Greyhound Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cancer Control Month
Canine Fitness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
Child Abuse Awareness Month
Children and Nature Awareness Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Deaf History Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Dog Appreciation Month
Earth Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Filipino Food Month
Financial Capability Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
Genocide Awareness Month
Global Astronomy Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Heartworm Awareness Month
IBS Month
Informed Women Month
International Amateur Radio Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Month of the Military Child
Move More Month
Multicultural Communications Month
Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National African-American Women's Fitness Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Car Care Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Decorating Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Food Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
National Frog Month
National Garlic Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Humor Month
National Internship Awareness Month
National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Literature Month
National Minority Health Month
National Month of Hope
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Safe Digging Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
National Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Education and Awareness Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Social Security Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
National Volunteer Month
National Welding Month
National Woodworking Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parliamentary Law Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Physical Wellness Month
Poetic Earth Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Month
Records and Information Management Month
Records and Information Management Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
School Library Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
STI Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Autism Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.