1. Volunteer your time with an agency that serves children and families. Some examples might be an after school program, a mentoring program, or a parenting class.
2. Educate yourself and others about what child abuse is. Know the warning signs of child abuse.
3. Support local programs that prevent child abuse. Consider asking your church or social group to do a fundraiser for an organization that prevents child abuse or works with abused children.
4. Teach your children their rights. Help them learn who the supportive and caring adults in their lives are, and make sure they know who they can talk to if they are hurt in any way.
5. Teach your children to solve problems without violence. Set a good example by avoiding using violence to discipline children or pets.
6. Get to know your neighbors and their children. Offer to help neighbors, and ask for their help occasionally.
7. If you know of a family that's under stress, offer to help out by babysitting or helping with chores.
8. Find out what resources are available in your community to families, such as parenting support groups, sliding-scale counseling, or crisis respite care. Ask your library to create a parenting resource section.
9. Know your children's friends. Make them feel welcome in your home.
10. If you feel that a child is being abused, report it! One phone call could save a child's life. The authorities will not tell anyone who made the report.
