This year, as team Sauer Family Foundation reflects on National Child Abuse Prevention Month, it feels timely to ask a big question, “What are the most important steps to eliminate child abuse?” As we dare to dream, our question is framed through this answer: “Invest in supportive, strong systems that help families before a crisis happens.”

It is understood that a majority of child neglect and abuse is perpetrated by adults and parents who are unsupported and overwhelmed. Folks impacted by chronic stress and poverty who possess a lack of understanding about child development and who may experience substance use disorder, unaddressed trauma, or mental health challenges.

Early support can aid in preventing abuse perpetrations before harm occurs. Possible solutions that prevent child abuse can include supporting:

Community Based Care – Ensuring families have access to food, housing and healthcare. Providing safe places for children, including community centers and after-school programs led by trained professionals. Ensuring access to parent support networks that build connections, reducing isolation.

Universal Support for Families – Paid family leave, access to addiction treatment, therapy and mental health care. Parenting classes and home visiting (especially for young or new parents).

Ending the Poverty/Punishment Cycle – Increasing the minimum wage, guaranteed food, housing and health care access. Provide access to resources to parents who lack them.

Investing in Community, not just Systems – Create peer support spaces including cultural community hubs and parenting groups. Train trusted community members to spot and support families in stress (teachers, clergy). Fund parks, youth services, community centers and after-school programs.

Changing Cultural Norms and Language – challenge toxic narratives; “deserving vs. undeserving families”, “bad vs. good parents”. Normalize asking for, receiving, and providing help. Teach adults and children about empathy, emotional regulation and healthy relationships.

Shifting Child Welfare from Harmful to Healing – prioritize keeping families together whenever safely possible. Divert cases of poverty or neglect into resourced, supportive networks. Train child welfare workers in trauma-informed, culturally competent care.

We know that the issue of child abuse may be overwhelming, and these solutions might be difficult. But we also understand that we can achieve great things when we have a vast array of people and resources working together. Child abuse is preventable. As A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said, “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”

– Sheri