Child Advocates Commemorates National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month with Public Outreach Events
To commemorate Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, Child Advocates of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is hosting and participating in outreach events to educate the public about child abuse in our community. Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month has been observed every April since its presidential proclamation in 1983. It was established to focus public attention on the protection and care of our nation's most vulnerable children.
Milpitas, CA (PRWEB) April 16, 2004 -
— To commemorate Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, Child Advocates of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is hosting and participating in outreach events to educate the public about child abuse in our community. Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month has been observed every April since its presidential proclamation in 1983. It was established to focus public attention on the protection and care of our nation's most vulnerable children.
Each year, there are more than 20,000 reports of child abuse and approximately 3,000 abused, neglected, and abandoned children placed in foster care in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Children who suffer abuse or neglect are 53 percent more likely to become juvenile delinquents, 38 percent more likely to be arrested as adults, and 38 percent more likely to become violent criminals, according to a study conducted for the National Institute of Justice. What's more, abused and neglected children have lower IQs and reading ability, higher rates of unemployment, more low-paying jobs, and higher rates of suicide attempts. "It is important that the public understands that child abuse is a significant problem with long-term consequences," says Gisela B. Bushey, Child Advocates' executive director. "'At the same time, the public should know that each of us can play a role in its prevention."
To Learn More About Child Abuse and How You Can Help:
-Child Advocates Orientation. Tuesday, April 20, 6 p. m. - 8 p. m., 509 Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 — Learn about opportunities to volunteer with one of 452 abused and neglected children on the waitlist for an Advocate.
-San Jose Children's Faire. Saturday, April 17, 11 a. m. - 4 p. m., Discovery Meadow, San Carlos & Woz Way, San Jose — Sponsored by the Child Abuse Council of Santa Clara County, among others, the San Jose Children's Faire is an opportunity for the public to learn about child abuse prevention and the needs of children and their families. Child Advocates will be hosting an informational booth.
-Speak Up for a Child Court Tour. Tuesday, May 11, 8 a. m. - 9 a. m., Santa Clara County Juvenile Dependency Court, 115 Terraine St., San Jose — Take a tour of dependency court, engage in a question and answer session with a judge or commissioner, and learn about opportunities to assist foster children find safe, permanent homes.
For more information about these upcoming events or to learn how you can support Child Advocates, call (408) 416-0400 or email info@cadvocates. org.
About Child Advocates of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties
Child Advocates is one of the leading and most effective nonprofit organizations serving abused and neglected children in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Most of the children served by the agency have been removed from the only home they have known and placed in foster homes or institutions for their own safety. Each of the agency's highly-trained volunteers is appointed by the court to work one-to-one with a foster child, and acts as an advocate, mentor, and caring friend. The Advocate's primary responsibility is to speak for the child's best interests in court, helping to ensure that he or she will live in a safe and loving environment and has the resources needed to grow up healthy and strong. Child Advocates has served thousands of children and youth since its founding in 1986 and is one of the largest affiliates of CASA, the National Court Appointed Special Advocates program.
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