1.2 RAISE AWARENESS
Awareness is an important part of building commitment. While it may be generally known that child maltreatment is a terrible problem, people may not know how common it is. Or that it is preventable. They also may not realize how well-suited state health departments are to preventing child maltreatment.
Making the Case
It is important that you help people move forward, from being aware of child maltreatment; to understanding it is a preventable problem, and finally supporting primary prevention efforts. Existing data from the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study
and brain architecture research conducted by Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child are two examples of resources that can help communicate the long-term effects of child maltreatment on physical, social, and behavioral health. You will also want people to understand the role they can play in supporting child maltreatment prevention efforts.
In order to increase people’s understanding that child maltreatment is preventable:
- Communicate the risk and protective factors linked to child maltreatment.
- Communicate the science behind primary prevention of child maltreatment (i.e., short- and long-term consequences of maltreatment on health and well-being, and best practices that promote the health and safety of children and families).
- Develop messages that are grounded in evidence, scientifically accurate, and resonate with the audience.
- Identify and use existing communication channels, when possible, in partnership with stakeholder organizations.
- Develop new channels as needed, such as social media.
It is important to consider how different audiences think and talk about child maltreatment and, if needed, to tailor messages and methods accordingly. For example, you may need to create issue briefs for decision makers; media campaigns for families; or specific technical assistance materials for public health practitioners.
External Leaders
These may be individuals or organizations that have a wider reach in helping to inform different audiences about primary prevention of child maltreatment. These are the people who are passionately committed to making sure children are healthy and have the best start possible in life. Their drive encourages others, helps move efforts forward, and wins support. External leaders can be useful in forging new partnerships, educating decision makers, and communicating needs. You can support external leaders with effective messages, data, and opportunities to educate varied audiences.
Consider
Making the case:
- How do you educate the public about the benefits of promoting safe, stable, and nurturing environments and relationships for children?
- How does the health department communicate that child maltreatment prevention is a priority (e.g., child maltreatment prevention cost and return of investment program data; information on risk and protective factors; data on burden in communities and state)?
- How is your health department using existing research on long-term health consequences of child maltreatment to educate others?
- How does the health department provide education and technical assistance to partners to support child maltreatment prevention efforts (e.g., available data, evidence-based strategies, importance of primary prevention in addressing child maltreatment)?
- Are you using a variety of resources to inform different audiences (e.g., websites, hotlines, electronic communications, and distribution of data reports and profiles)?
External Leaders:
- Who in your state or community can help communicate information about programs and strategies that promote safe, stable and nurturing relationships for children?
- How does the health department provide external leaders with messages, data, and other information about child maltreatment consequences and effective prevention strategies?
1.3 Communicate Your Role