Observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month Is 'Solemn but Hopeful,' Events Planned at Capitol and Around the State

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) works year-round to battle child abuse and neglect through training, education, and building awareness, but every year the agency redoubles its efforts to call attention to the problem when Child Abuse Prevention Month arrives in April.

"Our observation of Child Abuse Prevention Month is solemn but hopeful," said PFSA Executive Director Angela Liddle. "It's solemn because of the terrible toll that child abuse continues to take in Pennsylvania. It's hopeful because we believe that increasing awareness and vigilance eventually will reduce the magnitude of that toll."

Liddle said more than 25,650 cases of suspected abuse were reported in Pennsylvania in 2008, the most recent year for which statistics are available. She noted in particular that 50 children died from abuse, more than in either 2007 or 2006, and that 20 of the children who died were under a year old.

"Unfortunately, the problem of child abuse is universal," Liddle said. "It occurs in all 67 counties of Pennsylvania -- urban, suburban, and rural. So our response must be universal and must occur in all 67 counties as well."

PFSA specializes in training people who frequently come into contact with children -- doctors and nurses, health and social service workers, teachers and school employees, law enforcement authorities, members of the clergy -- to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect and how to appropriately report such cases.

During the past year, PFSA trained nearly 8,000 individuals in live, face-to-face sessions and also launched its first-ever online training to serve as update or refresher for those who have already had live training.

PFSA also works with more than 50 affiliate agencies across Pennsylvania to provide information, educational materials, and programs that teach and support good parenting practices.

As part of its special awareness-raising efforts during Child Abuse Prevention Month, PFSA will sponsor three "Paint for Prevention" events.

Parents, children, children's advocates, state, county, and local officials, and members of the public are invited to join together at three locations around the state to paint murals as a way of calling attention to the problem of abuse and neglect.

The "Paint for Prevention" events are scheduled as follows:

• April 8, in Harrisburg, from noon to 2 p.m., at the Dauphin County Courthouse.
• April 14, in Bristol, Bucks County, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Grundy Recreation Center.
• April 20, in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Seton Hill University Visual Arts Center.

More than 2,000 people turned out last year for similar "Paint for Prevention" events that produced artwork depicting the beauty of Pennsylvania's cities, fields, and forests as a way of counteracting the ugliness of child abuse and neglect.

Those who would like additional information on these events should call 1-800-448-4906 or send an email to [email protected].

PFSA also is working with other organizations, such as the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators Organization and the newly formed Pennsylvania Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, to organize Child Abuse Prevention Month ceremonies on April 13 at noon in the Capitol in Harrisburg.

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is scheduled to present a Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation signed by Gov. Ed Rendell. State Sen. Jane Orie, R-Allegheny and Butler counties, and Rep. Louise Bishop, D-Philadelphia, are to present Senate and House resolutions.

Sen. Pat Vance, R-Cumberland and York counties, is to offer remarks honoring Rep. Katie True, R-Lancaster County, who is retiring after a legislative career in which she has been a tireless advocate for measures that help families and children.

PFSA Board President Ruth Williams said, "We are grateful to Rep. True for the leadership and support she has provided over many years and are pleased that she is being recognized at this event."

Williams noted that Vance is the principal sponsor of Senate Bill 1137, which would require teachers and other school personnel to be trained in recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect. "PFSA believes this legislation will help make sure more children are protected and we strongly urge its enactment," she said.

Chuck Songer, director of the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators Association, said that "all too often child abuse and neglect are invisible until some sort of terrible incident in the news shocks people into awareness. Our members deal with these problems on a daily basis. We want the public to realize that abuse and neglect are ongoing problems and deserve our concern and attention all the time. We hope Child Abuse Prevention Month will help."

Other speakers on the agenda at the Capitol include Dr. Maria McColgan of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, on behalf of Prevent Child Abuse America and Frank Cervone, chair of the Friends of the Children's Trust Fund.

For more information, visit the PFSA Web site at www.pa-fsa.org.

SOURCE PA Family Support Alliance