ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- There's no excuse for child abuse.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, self-reported data consistently shows that more than one in 10 children and youth experienced at least one form of child maltreatment in the past year. 

And, from 2005 to 2014, there were 39 child deaths Air Force wide, according to the Air Force Family Advocacy Program Fatality Review.  

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  The Defense Department's 2016 theme is "Child Safety to Prevent Child Neglect."

Tandra Hunter, Robins Family Advocacy Program Outreach Program manager, said concerned members of the base community are working to prevent problems before they start by developing community ties that can bring people together.

"Financial counseling and assistance, prevention classes for parents, mental health services, and home visits to new parents to help them adjust to the new demands of parenthood are just a few ways that our community supports families," she said.

Hunter said a child's circle of success involves everyone.

"Children do well when their parents do well," she said.  "And families do better when they live in supportive communities."

Protecting children from abuse is not only important to the child , but to the community as well, Hunter added. 

"Surrounding a child with secure relationships and stimulating experiences will help him or her become a confident, caring adult, ready to be a part of society," she said. "But if the child is surrounded by violence or given little intellectual or emotional stimulation, it's much more difficult for him or her to grow up successfully. 

"As members of the Robins Air Force base community we must ask ourselves, 'Are we providing the kind of environments that will allow our children to grow into citizens who give back to communities?'" 

Editor's Note: For more information on child abuse prevention and how you can do your part, call the Robins Family Advocacy Program at 478-327-8398; Military One Source at 1-800-342-9674 or Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

What to know:
The following events are planned in the local community:  

*Now through April 30 - Pinwheels for Prevention Table Display, Bldg. 700, 78th Medical Group Atrium; Prevention and Awareness Sandwich Board Display, Base Exchange and Russell Parkway Gate 

*Blue Mondays, Wear Blue to acknowledge Child Abuse Awareness, Photos can be submitted to Robins.fap@us.af.mil for Facebook spotlight. 

*Fridays through April 29 - "1-2-3 Magic Parenting Class," 10 a.m. to noon, Nola Brantley Memorial Library, 721 Watson Boulevard