Prevention of Physical Abuse
To help prevent child abuse, the Child Abuse Team at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center recommends that social workers, physicians, day care providers, and others in an educational position:
- Assist families with learning problem-solving skills to minimize stress.
- Teach families how to improve communication between parents and children.
- Work with parents to understand the developmental needs of children.
Let parents know that it is common to get tired and frustrated with a new baby, and that it is acceptable to leave the child crying in a safe crib until the parent feels calmer.
Awareness of risk factors in families can enable the physician to maintain increased vigilance for abuse. Physicians can inquire about spousal abuse, neighborhood violence, and childcare plans to help guide prevention discussions. They can also discuss parents' attitudes about disciplining infants and emphasize the dangers of shaking a baby.
The Child Abuse Team works with first-time mothers in the tri-state to prevent child abuse through the home visitation program, called Every Child Succeeds. For more information, please call 513-636-2831.
