Press Release
For Immediate Release
From: Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council
Contact person: Rhys Edwards 482-9077
Every five minutes in Michigan, a child is reported a victim of child abuse and neglect. Confirmed cased in Houghton, Baraga, and Keweenaw counties have been on the rise since 2003. The month of April is devoted to celebrating everything we can do to transform our community into a place that cares about-and actively supports- families and children. By ensuring that all parents in our community have access to quality childcare, affordable health services, parenting education resources, and substance abuse and mental health programs, we make progress toward what the month stands for: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Majority of child abuse cases stem from situations and conditions that are entirely preventable in an engaged and supportive community. For example, a community that cares about early childhood development, parent support and mental health is more likely to see families nurturing children who are born healthy and enter school ready to learn. Cities and towns that work to create good school systems and that come together to ensure that affordable housing is available in good, safe neighborhoods are less likely to see stressed, isolated families who don’t know where to turn.
Child Abuse Prevention Month is about connecting all of these dots so that the solutions to child abuse receive the attention the public craves. In a recent poll 89% of Americans reported that child abuse was a “very important” moral issue to them. But it’s not enough to care about the problems and address its consequences. We have to pay attention to the kinds of efforts that will prevent it from happening in the first place so this April, learn more about what you and your community can do to support child abuse prevention. It is shared responsibility and we’re stronger when we work together.
April 25thth is Blue Sunday, a child abuse prevention initiative founded in 1995 as a national day of prayer for child abuse victims. The Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council, the local chapter of Michigan’s Children’s Trust Fund, is distributing blue ribbons to many of the local churches. Blue ribbons are the international symbol of child abuse prevention. Blue was chosen to represent the bruised and battered bodies of the thousands of children who are abused or neglected every day. If you are offered a blue ribbon, please wear it as a reminder that we all share the responsibility to help keep our children safe.
The Superior Child Abuse Prevention Program is a local council of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund, serving Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties. We are a community based organization that serves as an outreach component for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. SCAPC identifies needs and facilitates collaborative prevention programs. The council includes representatives of public agencies, schools, law enforcement the probate court, prosecutor’s office, parents, related private agencies and other members representing the demographic composition of the community.
To find out more about Child Abuse Prevention in your community, contact Rhys Edwards with the Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council- 482 9077
