How do people let this happen? That is the question we so often have when we read about child abuse and neglect cases. Whether it is a sensational national story such as the Penn State scandal or a local story about children found in horrible or dangerous conditions, we wonder why someone did not step in to prevent these crimes and situations.

Over time, those who work with children—medical professionals, educators and others—have been held more responsible for reporting suspected abuse, and the public has responded as well. But as advocates remind us during Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month this April, clearly more needs to be done.

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A study done by the Pew Center for the States found that a good program of voluntary home visits to at-risk families can cut child abuse cases in half -- that means trained professionals meeting with families during pregnancies and the first three years of a child's life. Those early years are when so many child abuse cases occur. 

Read the full article at herald-dispatch.com.