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

Throughout the month of April (National Child Abuse Prevention Month), National Children's Alliance (NCA) and its thousands of members and supporters across the country are bringing much needed attention to the issues of child abuse intervention and prevention. Child abuse is a national tragedy and a silent killer. Between 2001 and 2007, federal statistics indicate that 10,440 children died from abuse and neglect in their own homes. Even more alarming, this represents an increase in child abuse fatalities of 35% over the 6 year period. NCA and the over 700 child advocacy centers across the country, are 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 child advocacy centers across the country, NCA recognizes the importance of awareness raising and community education surrounding the subject of child abuse. In conjunction with National Child Abuse Prevention Month and in support of its mission to advocate on behalf of its members and promote policy change for the sector as a whole, NCA is co-hosting a Congressional Staff Briefing to End Child Abuse Deaths on Monday, April 26th, 2010. The goal of this briefing is to educate engage congressional staff members on the need for further information to be gathered in anticipation of new legislation and new allocation of resources to child welfare.  Ideally, with the support of Congress, hearings could be held before the August recess and new legislation may be passed to decrease child abuse deaths in communities across the country.

"National Children's Alliance has been at the forefront of the child advocacy movement since its inception in 1990. Over the years, the children's advocacy center movement has evolved to greatly reduce the trauma of the child abuse intervention process. Despite this evolution, we would far prefer to prevent abuse from occurring in the first place. We ask our fellow citizens to learn how to identify abuse and prevent it by participating in community outreach efforts throughout the month of April and year-round," remarked Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of National Children's Alliance.

In conjunction with this effort, Senator Susan Collins from Maine, sponsor of the Congressional Staff Briefing, introduced a special Senate Resolution on Thursday, April 22, 2010, designating April 2010 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This resolution references similar language to the Presidential Proclamation also designating April 2010 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

"The National Children's Alliance plays an important role in helping communities prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect," said Senator Collins.  "It is critical that we continue to raise awareness about the many issues surrounding child abuse, and that is why I introduced a resolution in the Senate designating April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.   I will continue to support efforts at the federal level to help communities ensure that the youngest and most vulnerable among us are kept safe, to provide the support families need to stay together, and to raise children and youth to be happy, secure, and stable adults."

SOURCE National Children's Alliance