Child abuse is reported on an average of every 10 seconds. With the help of two local organizations, stepping in, helping families in stressful situations, parents are learning how to protect our innocent.

Thousands of children are abused, both sexually and physically, each year.

30 - 40% of those victims are abused by a family member.

Another 50%, are abused by someone outside the family, whom they know and trust.

"Child abuse is such an important issue. It is a huge public health issue in our country, and in our community," said Katie McLeese Stephenson, Cedars.

Katie knows all too well what child abuse can do to a family, as well as a community.

"At Cedars, we see a lot of children who have, unfortunately, been abused and neglected. As a community, there's so much we can all do together, to prevent that," said Katie.

One example, is reducing your children's risk, by creating safe environments.

"It's important for each of us to know our neighbors, to know the parents of the children our kids go to school with, to know our faith communities, and in our workplace, and to reach out to them. Much child abuse can be attributed to isolation, so as families feel connected, and are part of something larger than their own family, they have ways to help deal with the stresses we all face as families," said Katie.

Stresses like work, school, money, health and everyday life.

That is why Cedars and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department are teaming up, breaking generational patterns, by teaching new families to make better choices than their parents.

"We're starting to see families, where, when that occurred to them as a child, they parent the same way," said Andrea Mason, Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department.

In just six months, the Parenting Support Project has assessed nearly 300 families.

91% of families, screened positive for risk behaviors associated with child abuse and neglect.

"The dream of what parenting is going to be like when you're pregnant versus the reality once the child is born, can be vastly different, and stressful for families," said Andrea.

Through one-on-one assistance inside the home, teaching families about the importance of maintaining a healthy home, the program gives families the right tools to make positive changes.

"Sometimes, it's that families haven't had the opportunities and the positive role models that others of us have been fortunate enough to have in their lives. Sometimes, it's getting people a different set of tools, and helping people to understand threre's a different way," said Katie.

One that will one day minimize the number of victimized children, and maximize the number of healthy and safe families.

For more information on the 10 tips for prevention, and links to many of the Nebraska organizations helping in the fight against child abuse, click on the web addresses below.