GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - According to national incidence studies of child abuse and neglect, more than 1.26 million children in the United States are abused or neglected in a year.
Experts say the lifelong effects of abuse and neglect on mental health and physical health are well-documented. But these are preventable problems, if we have the knowledge and the will to act. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to focus on what we all need to know about abuse and how to prevent it.
Local developmental psychologist, Dr. Marti Erickson, host of "Mom Enough" a weekly podcast, is a regular on KARE 11.
The longtime researcher and advocate for child abuse prevention shared four important facts about child abuse and neglect.
Four important facts about child abuse and neglect:
• Most child abuse is perpetrated by parents or other familiar adults
• Neglect is the most common form of maltreatment
• Abuse/neglect often are passed on from one generation to the next, but that doesn’t have to be
• Connecting children and their families to supportive resources is key