National Children's Alliance Recognizes National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April marks an important time to call attention to child abuse intervention and prevention

WASHINGTON, April 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Throughout the month of April, National Children's Alliance and its thousands of members and supporters across the country are bringing much needed attention to the issue of child abuse intervention and prevention as the country recognizes National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091028/NCALOGO)

Child abuse is a national tragedy and a silent killer warranting the attention of our Federal and state governments, as well as the general public. In 2010 alone, an estimated 695,000 children were victims of abuse, with an estimated of 1,560 children dying from abuse in this same year.* However, due to inconsistent reporting, it is estimated that this number may be even higher. NCA, along with the over 750 children's advocacy centers across the country that comprise its membership, is calling on local communities to speak up for these victims and to act on their behalf to prevent further tragedy.

As the national organization and accrediting body for children's advocacy centers across the country, National Children's Alliance recognizes the importance of awareness raising and community education surrounding the subject of child abuse. In an effort to share best practices and recognize those organizations stepping up on behalf of our country's children, National Children's Alliance will highlight National Child Abuse Prevention Month efforts during the month of April on a special web page dedicated to the cause – www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/NationalChildAbusePreventionMonth_LocalInitiatives.

Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of National Children's Alliance, remarked, "National Children's Alliance, along with our various partners and supporters around the country, strives to put an end to child abuse and neglect through effective programs and services for victims of abuse and their families. However, without a national movement supported by communities across the country, our efforts will never reach full potential – and our nation's children will continue to suffer. We ask our fellow citizens to educate themselves on the signs of abuse and help call attention to this national issue by supporting local child abuse intervention and prevention organizations throughout the month of April and year-round."

For more information on National Child Abuse Prevention Month, visit www.nationalchildrensalliance.org.

National Children's Alliance is the national association and accrediting body for the over 750 children's advocacy centers serving each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first, National Children's Alliance provides support and advocacy to its accredited membership, as well as numerous developing centers, multidisciplinary teams and child abuse professionals around the country, and the world. As the national authority on multidisciplinary approaches to supporting child victims of abuse, the purpose of National Children's Alliance is to empower local communities to provide comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse. Founded in 1998, National Children's Alliance provides accreditation opportunities, financial assistance, training, technical assistance, research and education to communities, child abuse professionals and children's advocacy centers throughout the United States in support of child abuse intervention, advocacy and prevention.

*Statistic taken from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Administration for Children & Families. Child Maltreatment 2010. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm10/cm10.pdf.

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Teresa Huizar
ProfNet - http://www.profnetconnect.com/teresa-huizar

SOURCE National Children's Alliance