It shouldn't hurt to be a child Published April 4, 2013 By Senior Airman Camilla Griffin 355 Fighter Wing Public Affairs DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz., -- April is national Child Abuse Awareness Month, a time dedicated to child abuse awareness and prevention activities. Michelle McLoughlin, 355th Fighter Wing Family Advocacy outreach manager, says that by providing access to quality childcare, affordable health services, parenting education resources, and substance abuse and mental health programs, communities can make progress toward what the month stands for. Recent surveys show the most common type of child abuse is neglect, followed by physical abuse. The majority of child abuse cases stem from situations and conditions that are entirely preventable in an engaged and supportive society. "A community that cares about early childhood development, parent support and maternal mental health, for instance, is more likely to see families nurturing children who are born healthy and enter school ready to learn," McLoughlin said. "Cities and towns that work to create good school systems and who come together to ensure that affordable housing is available in good, safe neighborhoods are less likely to see stressed, isolated families who don't know where to turn." Statistics show more than five children die every day as a result of child abuse. "We have to pay attention to the kinds of efforts that will prevent it from happening in the first place," McLoughlin said. "It's a shared responsibility and we're stronger together." Contact your base's Family Advocacy team to find out more information on programs and available resources.