Child abuse prevention messages that take a positive approach, emphasizing the many ways communities can support and strengthen families, are more likely to resonate with the public. When developing your message, keep your target audience in mind and tailor the message to reflect the audience's point of view. You may also consider the method of communication and who will deliver the message.
Use the following resources to learn more about developing an effective child abuse prevention message.
Child Abuse Prevention Month Toolkit
Colorado Department of Human Services (2020)
Presents resources for organizations working to raise awareness about child abuse prevention, including messaging and social media materials—in English and Spanish—and suggestions for ways the faith community, service industry, employers, community organizers, and more can work to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen families.
Child Abuse Prevention Tool Kits
Families Forward Virginia (2020)
Provides access to a collection of toolkits on child abuse prevention that provide information and resources to support families and communities in prevention efforts.
Communicating to Strengthen Families
Illuminate Colorado
Offers a tool to help craft messaging used in web content, reports, talking points or other communications to strengthen families in Colorado.
FrameWorks Institute: Talking About Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention
Prevent Child Abuse America (2019)
Presents a toolkit on how to increase support for policies that support prevention and intervention. The materials included can help engage the public in understanding early childhood development and how it relates to child abuse prevention.
Global Advocacy Toolkit for the Social Service Workforce
Global Social Service Workforce Alliance, WithoutViolence (2019)
Discusses strategies for communicating with policy-makers at regional and global levels. The report also provides a detailed guide for developing an advocacy plan for addressing violence against children.
It's Your Turn to Make a Difference: Community Resource Guide (PDF - 2,181 KB)
Prevent Child Abuse New York (2016)
Offers information and tools for organizations looking to launch a Pinwheels for Prevention child abuse prevention campaign. The guide includes ideas for campaign implementation, suggestions on how to engage the community, prevention strategies, sample messages, and more.