Communities across South Dakota are coming together in April to raise awareness of
the harms abuse and neglect can cause to our state’s greatest resource: our children. Through
prevention efforts, South Dakotans are being invited to take actions to build stronger families.
Governor Larry Rhoden has proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in South
Dakota. State leaders are also encouraging residents to participate in Wear Blue Day on
Thursday, April 2 to shine a light on an issue that threatens the future and wellbeing of children.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment, free from abuse and neglect,”
Rhoden said in the proclamation. “Preventing child abuse is a shared responsibility that requires
the involvement of families, educators, community members, faith-based organizations, and
government agencies.”
In Fiscal Year 2025, there were 15,623 total reports of possible or suspected child abuse and/or
neglect made to Child Protection Services in South Dakota.
“Keeping children safe is a community effort,” said DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff. “Since
abuse and neglect is usually done out of public view, South Dakota’s safety net relies on the
vigilance of community members to ‘say something’ when they see signs of possible abuse or
neglect.”
Prevention of abuse before it happens is also important. Twenty different organizations or
individuals throughout the state offer a variety of parenting education courses at no cost. These
resources are evidence-based and proven to help families better navigate difficult periods or
obstacles in their lives all the while successfully safekeeping their children. There are also
community resources available that can be pivotal in helping change the trajectory of a family’s
future.
SD Department of Social Services