Child welfare is in a global state of emergency (Risser, 2026).

But there are also children in our own (so-called) countries, cities, communities, and families, who are in need of our attention. As a survivor of child abuse myself, I know intimately how diligent, mindful, and conscious attention and action may have changed my childhood. Though I experienced a profound level of isolation compared to my peers (I experienced educational abuse disguised as ‘traditional home-schooling’ from 4th-12th grade), I also was a part of multiple communities who had the ability to make a difference. Below, I will explore two of those communities, discuss some signs of abuse or distress to notice, as well as intervention and support strategies to employ on an individual level, when advocating for children.

Churches, Faith, and Other Spiritual/Ritual-Based Communities.

An estimated 84% of the global population is involved in a recognized/reported faith-based community (Mendes, 2026). With these statistics, it is likely that we see, know, interact, or have interacted with others who participate in a faith-based practice, even if we do not ourselves. Child abuse which has been deliberately hidden in church communities continues to be uncovered, globally (The Commune Magazine, 2024). But sexual abuse, or abuse at the hands of authority figures directly tied to these communities are not the only dangers to look out for. It is imperative that, when we see children in our faith-based spaces, we make sure to acknowledge them. Getting to know a child, their typical mannerisms and orientation towards those in their family/party and others, and being aware of potential signs of harm, can make a huge difference in that child’s experience within the community. Some things that the church community of my upbringing could have noticed/looked out for:

• Increased physical distancing of a child from their family of origin during events.

• Increased instances of physical symptoms of distress during events (blacking out, profuse sweating, numb/tingling limbs, falling over).

• Signs of physical abuse, including marking and bruising, especially without clear origin/on the face or neck.

• Uncontrollable flinching/shivering at threatening looks/actions from family members.

• Increased evidence of parental distress during events (less instances of both parents present during events, greater evidence of emotional volatility/depression in parent who is present).

• Lack of parental community with other members and restriction of children’s freedom to freely engage amongst other children within the church.

  Recreational, Education-Attached, and Organized

  Sporting, Theater, and Hobby Groups.

  One of the things that I most looked forward to as a child was being allowed to participate in community athletics and (occasionally) other hobby-based groups. Not only was it a space for me to physically express frustrations with the tensions at home, but it was also one of the only ways that I experienced peer engagement and enrichment.

  Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse are some of the worries and realities of young athletes (Fortier, Parent, & Lessard, 2019), at the expense of maintaining healthy social relationships. Control and extreme parental oversight was a primary tool of my abusers. Some things that others could have looked for during hobby group meetings/events:

• Unusual levels of parental involvement/refusal to take a traditional parental/spectator roll.

• Lack of child involvement in community events outside of the direct hobby meetings (ex: child does not/very rarely is able to attend birthday parties, sleepovers, etc. of other team, cast, or hobby mates.).

• Differences in child behavior/tension when parents are present versus not.

• Differing sets of rules or oversight for different children in the family as a control tactic, and not based on ability, age-appropriateness, or other prevention of harm.

• Public outbursts, increased physical/verbal/or interpersonal aggression from children towards others, and/or the increased or unusual presence of public arguing between parent(s)/child(ren).

• Individual adults demanding ‘private’ or parent-free time with children, contacting or attempting to contact children privately, or otherwise attempting to isolate a child from their peers and/or other adults.

  Have you Noticed any of These Potential Signs of Distress, Familial Need, or Abuse?

  I have all too commonly heard these same experiences of my own childhood, repeated to me by clients reiterating their own experiences. Many of us have, perhaps in hindsight, been failed by the adults around us. However, now as adults and abolitionist practitioners ourselves, we have the ability to turn towards child empowerment, familial connection and growth, and less controlled and abusive childhoods that go unchallenged.

  One of the first steps in advocating for child well-being is knowing the children and parents/caretakers who exist is the spaces around you. Knowing their typical helps you to provide support when the atypical arises. Some supportive strategies that you may employ when one of these situations arises:

• Know about, encourage, and advocate for affordable, community, and/or home-based childcare options in your area. Communal care of children disperses childcare tasks amongst multiple caretakers, allows for adults to take breaks from children in overwhelming moments, and creates a common experience among caregivers from which to build connection and support.

• Familiarize yourself with the signs of abuse in children (SafeKidsThrive.Org, N.D.), as well as the harm done by the Family Regulation System (Harvard.Edu,2021). Knowing where local resources exist to support parental mental, physical, and emotional health can prevent the onset or continuation of abuse. Parental education and resourcing is critical in forming and maintaining healthy family dynamics. Further, increased access to social activities, supportive adult relationships, peer engagement, and opportunities for positive parental/caregiver connection can assist children in learning about healthy child/adult relationships. Practice calming their nervous systems and learning to reconnect and repair with others is critical.

• Speaking out in support of children, and against ageist and anti-child language is also a huge step in dismantling systems of child abuse. When parents or adults say things like:

  “I hate kids”, “Children should have a ‘healthy’ fear of their parents”, “Some kids need to be locked up/put away”, “What parents do to children in their own home is their business”, and the like, we must challenge them.

  We might say:

  “I wonder why you feel so strongly towards such a vulnerable and defenseless population.”, “I hope that no child has to live in fear of the adults who care for them.”, “No child deserves to be punished or left isolated. Rehabilitation and change can happen in community, with education, resourcing, and supportive adults.”, “I hope that you aren’t saying that abuse is acceptable, as long as it’s kept private.”, and more!

  You don’t have to be an expert on abuse, neglect, and familial crisis prevention in order to make a change in your very community. Where do you see yourself looking out for children, in a more mindful way, moving forward? Where are the children in your life relying on you?

  Are you struggling to support a child in your life, or someone with children in your life? Schedule a *FREE* meeting with a life coach by emailing [email protected], to discuss ways to start building your child advocacy toolbox!