Children’s Hospitals Combat
Abuse and Promote Prevention
 Most parents don’t intend to hurt their
child. But the stress of an infant who won’t
stop crying or the daily trials of caring for a
child with special needs can overwhelm
even the most loving mother or father.
Whether you’re struggling to build positive
discipline skills or have seen another
parent or caretaker abuse a child but don’t
know what to do, your local children’s hospital
can help.
Nearly 3 million cases of suspected
abuse and neglect are reported in the
U.S. annually. Children’s hospitals are the
undisputed leaders in providing medical
care to abused and neglected children.
They educate parents and caretakers about
how to cope with the frustration and
anger they sometimes feel. Children’s
hospitals provide classes, fact sheets and
more to guide parents and caretakers
through child rearing. They also offer support
groups where parents and caretakers
can find assistance and meet others who
are struggling with the same frustration.
Don’t be afraid to reach out
Worried that a child you know or see in
a public place is being maltreated?
Children’s hospitals can help connect you
to a community resource where you can
report your concerns.
Some parents worry that if their child
is injured by accident, not through abuse,
they will be suspected of abuse at a hospital.
Children’s hospitals are working on a
seamless, timely and effective system of
abuse response that helps protect innocent
parents and provides medical care and
emotional healing to the most vulnerable
children.
 Working with children’s hospital leaders,
pediatricians and allied groups, the National
Association of Children’s Hospitals and
Related Institutions (NACHRI) developed
Defining the Children’s Hospital Role in Child
Maltreatment, a guide to establishing, developing
and enhancing child abuse services
in children’s hospitals. These guidelines
help facilitate the highest level of quality
care to abused and neglected children.
Learn How to Protect Children
For more on children’s hospitals’ efforts
to prevent and treat abuse and neglect,
visit www.childrenshospitals.net and
select “Child Advocacy.”
If you’re concerned about a
potential case of abuse, contact the
Child Protective Services Hotline at
808-832-5300, or toll-free from the
neighbor islands at 800-494-3991.
For more on positive parenting,
contact Kapi`olani Health Connection
at 808-535-7000.
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