National Children's Alliance to Testify at Senate Subcommittee Hearing on Child Abuse in America

December 13 Hearing to Address Child Abuse Protection, Prevention, Intervention, and Deterrance

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, December 13, Teresa Huizar, executive director of National Children's Alliance, will be one of six child advocacy experts to testify in front of the United States Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) Subcommittee on Children and Families. The hearing, titled "Breaking the Silence on Child Abuse: Protection, Prevention, Intervention, and Deterrance," will take place on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at 10:15am in Room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

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The purpose of the hearing is to examine how well our federal laws, such as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, are working to protect our nation's children from abuse and neglect. The hearing will also examine related issues, including the prevalence of child sexual abuse committed by adults in entrusted organizations, the effect abuse has on children and their families, and why adults may fail to report known or suspected abuse, and local and state efforts aimed at protecting, preventing, intervening, and deterring child abuse.

With an extensive background in the child advocacy field and experience directing the national association and accrediting body for the over 750 Children's Advocacy Centers around the country, Ms. Huizar's expertise will provide insight on our nation's current take on child abuse and reporting laws in each state. Specifically, Ms. Huizar will be testifying on 1) the important work of Children's Advocacy Centers nationwide; 2) challenges posed by state-by-state reporting laws for child abuse and child sexual abuse; and 3) recommendations for Congress to consider regarding how to approach the issues moving forward.

"I am honored to have been asked by the Subcommittee on Children and Families to participate in this important hearing," remarked Teresa Huizar, executive director of National Children's Alliance. "For quite some time, National Children's Alliance, along with many other organizations in the child advocacy arena, has been working towards increasing awareness of the importance of reporting child abuse, improving the response to child abuse, and providing effective treatment to child victims of abuse. We are thrilled that our nation's leaders are bringing needed attention to this critical issue, and hope that NCA can provide valuable assistance in the journey moving forward to protect our nation's children."

It is the hope of National Children's Alliance that this important hearing draws much needed attention to the child advocacy field, increasing public awareness of the issue and ultimately protecting our nation's children.

For more information about the Senate Subcommitte on Children and Families and the upcoming hearing titled "Breaking the Silence on Child Abuse: Protection, Prevention, Intervention, and Deterrance," visit http://help.senate.gov/subcommittees/children_and_families/.

National Children's Alliance is the national association and accrediting body for the over 700 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.

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SOURCE National Children's Alliance