WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO & WHO TO CALL
when your family is under stress
Why is it so important to get help? When families are stressed, children are more vulnerable to abuse or neglect. Getting help makes your family stronger…and your children safer.
There’s help available in your community. Here, you’ll find a list of Central Oregon programs and resources organized by county. Get help securing housing, food, healthcare, child care, family support, and more.
Learn how to keep your child safe. Get 3 weeks of child safety tips in your inbox starting April 1!
Coming up April 1-31, 2024
Blue Ribbon Campaign
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. April’s Blue Ribbon Campaign is a Central Oregon tradition—raising awareness and promoting ways we can work together to end child abuse. Get details about Blue Ribbon events, 2024 prevention partners, public installations and more.
1 in 10 children will experience neglect or abuse before their 18th birthday.
The first step to ending child abuse?
Know the facts.
Child abuse is not a “big city problem.” Child abuse happens in every community, in every kind of family. Here in Central Oregon, hundreds of children experience abuse each year. Nationally, experts say 1 out of 10 children will experience abuse before their 18th birthday.
You can better protect the children in your life—and in your community—by knowing the facts about child abuse. Facts like:
• Across Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties, 730 children experienced abuse in 2022.
• Nearly half of child abuse victims are under the age of six.
• Most victims know their abuser.
• Not all abusers are adults.
• Most child victims don’t disclose abuse until decades later.
Every one of us can make a difference.
What can I do to prevent abuse?
I’m a Parent/Caregiver
Start by knowing the facts about abuse. Learn how to protect your child at home, at school, with friends, and online—by taking free local trainings on body safety, internet safety, and preventing sexual abuse. Get to know local organizations focused on preventing abuse. And be aware of community resources that can help strengthen your family.
I’m a Business Owner
You are a community leader! Get to know the issues that impact struggling families and advocate on their behalf. When children in our community thrive, we all benefit!
As a business, you have a unique opportunity to protect children. Arrange for your staff to be trained in child safety (Bend businesses can check out the new Safe For Kids program).
Partner with local organizations focused on preventing child abuse. Become a sponsor, or consider volunteer opportunities for your staff. Volunteering is a great team building activity and it makes a difference for children in your community!
I Work with Kids
You play a vital role in building a child’s resilience. One caring, engaged adult can make a child feel seen and supported. When you cultivate a trusting relationship with a child, you make it possible for a child to ask for help when they feel unsafe.
As a child advocate and mandatory reporter, you are a first line of defense against child abuse. Take a training and learn how to spot the signs of child abuse, and know how to report your concerns.