Child abuse prevention: Make community a better place Published April 24, 2013 99th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month, and the remainder of the year, family advocacy encourages everyone to play their part in making our community a better place for children and families. Informed, unified families and communities can enhance our children's social and emotional well-being and help eradicate child abuse and neglect. Abuse has many consequences that reach far beyond the immediate trauma and turmoil. Victims of child abuse can have related problems in adulthood. According to "The Child Abuse Crisis: The Disintegration of Marriage, Family, and the American Community" by P. Fagan, W. Fitzgerald Sr. and D. Hanks, children of abusive parents are 50 percent more likely to abuse substances and six times more likely to commit suicide. Research has also indicated that sons of violent fathers are 10 times more likely to use violence against their wives or girlfriends. The effects of abuse and neglect are tragic, but with proper treatment and support they can be overcome. Raising children in a safe and loving environment requires selfless effort. Parents need knowledge, skills and resources to properly and effectively care for their children. These include: . Nurturing and attachment . Knowledge of parenting and child development . Resilience . Social connections . Support for parents . Social and emotional well-being "April is a time to address the role that we all play in protecting children, everyone needs to participate," said Capt. Steven Fisher, 99th Medical Operations Squadron officer in charge of family advocacy. "We can focus on building the protective factors when we are in contact with children and their families. Together, our community can work towards the prevention of child abuse and neglect." The Family Advocacy Office and Mental Health Services can offer support and training. Family Advocacy has free classes in Anger and Stress Management, Parenting, and Couples Communication, and staff can be reached at 702-653-3880 for further information.
