The media can be an effective partner in disseminating prevention messages. The news media have specific criteria for determining what is worth covering, so program planners need to frame the issue in an appealing way to get their attention. By planning effective and newsworthy activities, communities can help promote healthy parenting practices, child safety skills, and protocols for reporting suspected maltreatment.
Use the following resources to get ideas for planning an activity or program in your community.
National examples
Children's Trust Funds
State Children's Trust Funds (CTFs) and their local councils and affiliates coordinate child abuse and neglect prevention and public awareness activities in each State.
Darkness to Light
A media campaign to reduce the incidence of child sexual abuse through public awareness and education.
National Coalition to End Child Abuse Deaths
Every Child Matters
Describes a nonpartisan group of five organizations working to enlist the government and members of the media to bring attention to child abuse deaths and to develop a national strategy to prevent future deaths.
The Period of Purple Crying
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
Addresses the age when babies cry more than any other time and equips caregivers with strategies to soothe the baby and cope with stress.
Pinwheels for Prevention
Prevent Child Abuse America
Describes an effort to change the way individuals think about child abuse prevention by focusing on community activities and public policies that prioritize prevention right from the start to make sure child abuse and neglect never occur.
text4baby
National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
Presents a program that sends expectant mothers or new mothers free text messages with pregnancy tips and parenting tips to care for their babies. The messages are timed to a baby's due date or birth date.
State examples
Media Center
Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia (2016)
Supplies videos and public service announcements to promote public engagement through the Circles of Caring, Good Beginnings Last a Lifetime, and Safe Sleep campaigns.
One Tough Job
Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund
Presents a website for parents that includes information on stress, parent-child communication, discipline, child safety, parenting tips sorted by age, and more.
Pinwheels for Prevention
Prevent Child Abuse Florida, the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, & the Florida Department of Children and Families
Includes information on public service announcements, local events, community resource packets distributed throughout the State, and more.
Pinwheels for Prevention Community Resource Guide (PDF - 2,130 KB)
Prevent Child Abuse New York (2016)
Offers ideas for media messages, community engagement, and implementation using the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign.
Pinwheels for Prevention Social Media Tips (PDF - 419 KB)
Prevent Child Abuse Virginia (2014)
Provides recommendations on how to effectively use social media to promote National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Local examples
Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Saginaw County
Descriptions of the council's public awareness activities during Child Abuse Prevention Month and year-round.
Child Abuse Council of the Quad Cities
Describes a variety of local and regional activities organized by the council.
Face It
Presents a campaign in Louisville, KY, that addresses best practices in child abuse prevention and community engagement and promotes effective policies to improve the child welfare system.
FAP Child Abuse Prevention Month [Video]
Marine Corps Community Services Quantico Marketing (2011)
Presents a public service announcement for Child Abuse Prevention Month from the Family Advocacy Program at the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia.
Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia
Find information on numerous past and present local activities. Learn more about their Allies in Prevention Coalition, which works to communicate regional messages to prevent child abuse and promote children's well-being.
Virginia Department of Social Services
Presents information on Child Abuse Prevention Month efforts in Virginia. Resources include a prevention packet and tip sheets for parents that address positive parenting, child development, raising healthy and happy children, and preventing abuse or neglect.