UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Over the last decade, Penn State and its partners have trained thousands of community members and children in abuse-prevention strategies. Penn State researchers are helping to make children safer by developing new trainings and disseminating existing trainings that have been shown to be effective.  

By launching the new Center for Safe and Healthy Children, a national resource for supporting and growing research focused on creating safe environments and mitigating the effects of early-life stress, Penn State is advancing science to promote well-being over the life-course. 

In the latest issue of Discovery magazine, published by the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State, learn concrete steps you can take to help protect children in your family and community, including understanding appropriate sexual behavior at different ages, questions to ask a prospective childcare provider, and tips for appropriately communicating with children about sex and their bodies as they grow. 

Every year, 3.5 million allegations of child abuse are investigated in the United States. Researchers in the College of Health and Human Development are working to protect children from abuse and to promote healing among those who have experienced abuse or trauma. Read more about their work in Discovery magazine.