Child Abuse Prevention: Resiliency Models and School Roles

Introduction to Child Welfare Approaches

Child abuse prevention draws on a range of theoretical and institutional strategies, each with distinct strengths and limitations. This discussion examines three such approaches: the resiliency model as a framework for child welfare, the role of schools in identifying and preventing abuse, and the use of former offenders to inform more effective prevention programs.

The Resiliency Model and Its Six Protective Factors

The resiliency model is an innovative move in a new direction in terms of child welfare. It relies on the concept that the majority of children who have struggled do come back to do well, and it challenges the idea that children with difficulties will never succeed. The resiliency model was created to provide a more effective strategy compared to the deficit-weakness model. It features six environmental protective factors — conditions that help children bounce back from adversity — focusing on protective factors "that help an individual bounce back from adversity" (Henderson 2012).

This could be a viable approach for the child welfare system because it incorporates tools that can be used by both parents and educators. It helps provide a guiding model rather than forcing assumptions of change. There are a number of strengths in this approach. The resiliency model provides a greater sense of hope for children who may currently be struggling in school. It presents a simple six-element resiliency wheel that can be implemented by anyone — parent and educator alike. One of its major strengths is its focus on not removing the adversity that is innate within the environment, but rather increasing protective factors that "buffer, mitigate, and insulate the impact of the negative" (Henderson 2012). This essentially gives children and parents the tools to increase the buffer zone between the child and the environmental conditions that may invoke adversity.

However, there are limitations as well. Educators and parents may never be able to remove certain aggravating factors from a child's environment. Still, this approach stands out for its focus on applying a theory from psychological discourse to practical implementation — taking research and placing it in a real-world setting.

Schools as a Frontline Defense Against Child Abuse

Schools are often highly involved in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. They provide support for children and their families in a number of different ways. Many schools feature programs that help at-risk families with after-school care in order to prevent childhood maltreatment and neglect, keeping many children in a safe environment. Teachers and administrative staff are also deeply involved in the daily lives of the children at their institutions. When child abuse is suspected, school staff report such potential abuse and alert authorities when necessary.

Moreover, schools are active in the prevention of abuse for future generations as well. Planning for parenthood and equipping older students with proper sex education helps keep students informed and aware of their sexual behavior and its potential impact on future children. Many high schools around the country "have curricula on learning how to parent adequately" (Crosson-Tower 2003). This helps create conditions in which future child abuse can be minimized.