HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – During this National Child Abuse Prevention Month, local organizations are calling attention to the number of suffering kids here in Virginia.

Brooke Garcia, program coordinator with Healthy Families of the Blue Ridge, says that there are four types of child abuse: physical, mental, sexual, and medical.

Garcia told Rocktown Now that although it is no excuse for abuse, behind-the-scenes issues are usually what drives a parent or guardian to harm their child.

“A lot of times the parents just have a lot of stress or other factors going on in their life that take away from the attention needed to raise a child, be a good parent and respond to your child’s needs,” Garcia said. “And sometimes those stress factors can be related to their parents’ health and their parents’ mental health.”

She adds that groups like Healthy Families can help struggling parents find the support they need.