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Date: April 6, 1995
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact:  Michael Kharfen, ACF (202) 401-9215

Every One Has a Role to Play in Preventing Child Abuse:
"The More You Help, The Less They Hurt"

HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today asked all Americans to join in the effort to stop the abuse and neglect of our country's children--and announced new materials showing people how to become involved.

"April 1995 is National Child Abuse Prevention Month," said Secretary Shalala. "This month, we make a special effort to increase public awareness and call attention to the problem of child abuse and the importance of prevention. But what we do in April is a beginning, not an end. To end this national tragedy, each of us must get involved and stay involved."

She said the 1995 April Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month Resource Kit, now available, contains ideas and materials to help interested individuals and organizations plan community activities for prevention month and throughout the year. This year's theme, "The More You Help, The Less They Hurt," acknowledges that everyone has a role to play in preventing child abuse and neglect. The packet was created by the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, with materials and support from HHS' National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect.

The number of children who are found to be victims of abuse or neglect has risen to over 1 million each year. Approximately 49 percent suffer neglect, 24 percent physical abuse, 14 percent sexual abuse, 5 percent emotional maltreatment and 18 percent other forms of maltreatment. Child abuse and neglect occur in all racial, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic groups. Parental abuse of alcohol and other drugs has been identified as a major factor in contributing to child maltreatment and death. It is estimated that nearly 10 million children under age 18 are affected in some way by the substance abuse of their parents.

"Child abuse and neglect damages our children, our families and our communities," said Mary Jo Bane, assistant secretary for children and families. "Maltreatment costs children their childhoods; it deprives them of their indisputable need to be loved and safe. The cost to our communities of trying to repair this damage is staggering--in human and financial terms."

The National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect, located in HHS' Administration for Children and Families, is the primary federal agency with responsibility for assisting states and communities in child abuse prevention, identification and treatment. This year, as in other years, the center is working with organizations across the country to observe the month of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

To request a copy of the Child Abuse Prevention packet, call the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse at 312-663-3520 or write to 332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600, Chicago, Ill. 60604-4357.

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