Every April, the Army recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month by focusing on the awareness and prevention needed to create safe, supportive environments for our children to grow and thrive. “MilParents Rock,” the 2025 theme, seeks to build awareness and increase the use of positive parenting resources to help prevent child abuse and neglect. The importance of Families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect is highlighted—not just in April, but all year long.
Child abuse is any act that harms or threatens a child’s welfare and can occur regardless of their life situation.
“Child abuse can occur anywhere. It can happen in a child’s home, their school or in their community,” said Dr. Carmen Leggett, Family Advocacy Program Specialist, Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness.
Child abuse can include:
- Physical: Hitting, kicking or shaking a child.
- Sexual: Pressuring or forcing a child to engage in a sexual act.
- Emotional/Verbal: Diminishing a child’s sense of self-worth.
- Neglect: Failing to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs.
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974 marked our nation’s first major step in addressing child maltreatment, leading to the establishment of National Child Abuse Prevention Month by Congress in 1983. Since then, the Army has worked to prevent child abuse and protect our children while continuing to strengthen the resilience of Families.
Historically, the rate of reported child maltreatment among military Families has been about half the rate reported outside the military population. This statistic remained constant during peacetime, according to The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. However, the rates reported among military Families have outpaced those reported for nonmilitary Families since 2003.
The Army Family Advocacy Program is charged with assessing and addressing both child maltreatment and domestic abuse and works in partnership with child welfare providers to ensure the safety of children and Family members. FAP has systems in place to investigate and address child maltreatment with programs that provide treatment and services to children and Families. Commanding officers and military service providers are required to report known or suspected child maltreatment to FAP so that reported cases can be investigated, reviewed and recommendations can be made for further services and treatment for the Family.
“As we observe Child Abuse Prevention Month, let’s unite as an Army Family to raise awareness and take action,” said Tanya Juarez, FAP manager, Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness.
“The Family Advocacy Program ensures our Soldiers stay mission-ready by caring for their world at home, so they can protect ours.”
FAP also provides education on child abuse awareness as well as activities and services for children and adults. Parents are encouraged to create a supportive environment, as well as consider what resources are available if a child or teen needs help, which includes
- New Parent Support Program.
- New MilParent Specialty Consultations
- Thrive online parenting program.
- Various child care options
Child abuse is 100% preventable, and all children deserve to be safe. If you suspect child abuse, you are legally required, along with Commanders and military service providers, to report it to the appropriate authorities by visiting or calling:
- Military law enforcement or 911.
- Your Family Advocacy Program office.
- Local Child Protective Services.
- National Child Abuse Hotline, 24/7, at 800-422-4453.
“Together, we can create a safe and nurturing environment for every child, ensuring they grow, thrive and reach their full potential,” Juarez said.
“Prevention starts with us—let’s stand strong, be vigilant and support one another in the fight to protect our most vulnerable.”
These programs and resources are available to help keep our children safe and bring awareness to child abuse:
- Family Advocacy Program Toolkit provides positive parenting and child abuse prevention for military Families.
- Military Parent Resource Center helps military parents through their parenting journey.
- New Parent Support Program offers home visits, parenting classes, playgroups and more to help parents find a balance.
- MilParents Rock Fact Sheet offers information for adults to help protect our military children.
- 5 Ways to Prevent Child Abuse Flyer provides practical tips for parents and other parenting resources.
- MilParents Rock Emblem should be included on materials highlighting positive parenting and related topics.
This month, wear a blue ribbon to help raise awareness. Together the entire Army community can come together to keep children safe and prevent child abuse.
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