Child sexual abuse is one of the most poignant forms of abuse, and it’s a crime that affects the entire family. There are several symptoms that could raise a flag signaling abuse, and recognizing these signs could help you save a child.

If you notice unexplained illnesses and injuries, or if a child begins to withdraw, become fearful or lose self confidence, these are all signs that a child could be being abused.

Check out the National Center for Victims of Crime for more tips on identifying an abused child, and for a wealth of resources available to help victims deal with the pain.

Earlier this month, communities all over the country organized events around National Night Out to help reinforce a relationship between neighbors and law enforcement.

But you don’t have to wait until next year to bring your neighborhood together. This summer, President Obama called on all Americans to dedicate some of their time to serving their community. There is still plenty of time for you to get involved and volunteer some of your time toward empowering your neighborhood against crime.

There are countless activities you can get involved in that bring people in your community together and that can send a message to criminals. Starting a neighborhood watch, volunteering you time to graffiti removal and litter pick up, or setting up community activities that kids can get involved in are a few of the many activities that contribute to cleaning up a neighborhood. Continue reading Giving Back To Your Community To Help Fight Crime »

When registered sex offenders travel outside of their home state, they are supposed to inform law enforcement of their plans. Each state and territory has maintained their own sex offender registry, which make regulations difficult to enforce when there is no standard across state lines.

The Adam Walsh Act was passed to help create a uniform approach to protecting our nation’s children, by creating some consistency across state laws.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has been a tireless advocate for enforcement of these laws, and a partner to law enforcement in the fight to prevent sex offenders from slipping through the cracks.

The National Center for Victims of Crime reports that as many as 25% of high school age students report to know about dating violence among their peers. This type of abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional, but is almost always long lasting and can impact relationships for the rest of a teens life.

It’s never too early to think about your teen’s self esteem. There are several signs that parents should look out for that could signal that a teen is in an abusive relationship. Recognizing these signs and talking to your teens about their options can be critical to helping them developing and maintain healthy relationships.