Communities dedicated to create safe, stable, nurturing environments for children focus on child abuse prevention. They use the PROTECT Principle. The PROTECT Principle is based on
P=Protective Factors to build healthy functioning adults through total community support.
R=Resilience that allows children to bounce back quickly from everyday stressors.
O=Open communication to make sure children are safe in all their environments; home, school, recreational activities, religious functions, family gatherings, child care settings, and community locations.
T=Teach healthy values to support positive moral intelligence and healthy adult attitudes about right and wrong.
E=Empower children to develop social and emotional intelligence toward healthy adult relationships.
C=Create healthy environments through positive, nurturing parenting.
T=Take time to listen to children to ensure they are physically, emotionally, and sexually safe. Make sure children are heard about physical and emotional needs being met.
Communities focused on children’s safety and well-being are healthy communities. Their function is to create a safe environment where children are protected from harm by adults and other children. Healthy communities are strong communities that foster positive growth and development of children to become productive, contributing adult members of society.
How do you Protect children in your community and prevent child abuse?