Kidpower Launches First Annual International Child Protection Month in September

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kidpower International (kidpower.org) has launched an initiative to establish September as International Child Protection Month in celebration of its 25-year anniversary. Kidpower is a global nonprofit leader dedicated to child protection advocacy to keep kids safe from bullying, abuse, kidnapping, and other dangers — and to empowering people of all ages and abilities with life skills for safety and success.

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"Our purpose is to honor, support and inspire adult leadership to protect children and teens from harm and empower them with skills to take charge of their own well-being," said Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Executive Director and Founder. "We are inviting individuals and organizations from around the world to join us in actively committing to the safety of young people through this initiative."

Visit InternationalChildProtectionMonth.org for free online resources and ways to get involved.

International Child Protection Month goals are to:

• Increase public awareness of the crucial role adults play as Protectors of Children.
• Support adult leadership in promoting the safety and best interests of children and teens.
• Provide educational resources for how to take positive action.
• Highlight "bright spots" showing how adults are making a difference in the safety of children.

"International Child Protection Month isn't just about building awareness - it's about taking action," said Cory Bertisch, CEO of My Gym Children's Fitness Centers International. "At MyGym, taking action is what we like to do best. We are excited about sharing Kidpower's exceptional safety resources with our families during September - and going forward into the future!"

One action that all adults can take is to make the Kidpower Put Safety First Commitment™:
"I WILL put the safety and well-being of young people ahead of anyone's embarrassment, inconvenience, or offense!" Teens and young adults can be encouraged to make this commitment for themselves as well.

Another action for those who have children and teens they are in a position to help is to discuss the Kidpower Protection Promise™ with each of them: "You are very important to me. If you have a safety problem, I want to know — even if I seem too busy, even if someone we care about will be upset, even if it's embarrassing, and even if you've made a mistake. Please tell me and I will do everything in my power to help you."

Partner organizations so far include: My Gym Children's Fitness Centers, Council for Exceptional Children, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Hands and Voices, Positive Coaching Alliance, DC Self-Defense Association, Little Pickle Press, Doing Right by Our Kids, Together for a Safe Childhood, and The Lawrence Foundation. Additionally, the 30 Kidpower centers, offices and providers around the world are inviting the families, schools, organizations, foundations, and agencies they work with to become partners.

"Kidpower provides positive and practical workshops that empower people of all ages and abilities with awareness, knowledge, and skills. Additionally, it will be a priority each September to promote International Child Protection Month as an opportunity to learn and share together to increase awareness of what child protection means and the actions that adult leaders can take to make a difference," added van der Zande.

About Kidpower

Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower International is a global nonprofit leader dedicated to child protection advocacy and empowering people of all ages and abilities with life skills for safety and success. Since 1989, Kidpower has protected over 3 million people, including those with special needs, from bullying, abuse, kidnapping and other violence by empowering them with awareness, knowledge and skills. Visit www.kidpower.org for more information.

Media contact: Beth McGreevy, 415-323-0854, Email

SOURCE Kidpower