October is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario. Children's Aid Societies participate every year in a public awareness and education campaign for the prevention of child abuse and neglect throughout the month of October. The goals of this program are

• to inform the public and community professionals of the devastating effects of child abuse and neglect
• to make public and community professionals aware of the importance of early intervention and prevention of child abuse and neglect
• to inform the public and community professionals of their duty to report child abuse and neglect

What can you do to help?

• Use your voice! Call your local Children’s Aid Society to report known or suspected child abuse and neglect.
  
• Get educated. Learn to identify the subtle signs of child abuse and neglect.
  
• Get involved. Contact your local CAS to participate and show your support. Here are some important links
  • Your local CAS
  • Visit the Use Your Voice website.
  • Take a look at the child welfare statistics in Ontario.
  • Download the Positive Parenting Package created by the Children's Aid Society of London-Middlesex
  • Read the Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect - It's Your Duty pamphlets from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
  • Find out how you can discipline your child without using physical force from the article Yes, You Can! - Positive discipline ideas for you and your child - from the Parenting for Life Series - Today's Parent, Canada 's Parenting Magazine.