April marks the 28th anniversary of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to child abuse education, awareness and prevention activities.
To observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Love Our Children USA, (a national organization headquartered in New York whose mission is to break the cycle of violence against children) begins its eighth annual GET BLUE campaign – a national effort to educate and raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention.
The “Blue Ribbon” is the symbol for child abuse prevention. Love Our Children USA urges every person across the country to GET BLUE. By wearing a Blue Ribbon pin during April and throughout the year, we can educate families, children, neighbors, organizations and communities on how to prevent child abuse and neglect — encourage community and individual involvement in recognizing and preventing child abuse and neglect – assist families in achieving healthy parenting practices through education and resources and empower individuals to report child victimization and intervene in situations where violence and neglect harm children.
To signify the importance of the month, Love Our Children USA announces the Eighth Annual National Love Our Children Day on Saturday, April 2nd. Created by Love Our Children USA, National Love Our Children Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of every April to honor children, strengthen families and raise awareness for efforts to keep children safe. Each year the day is recognized with a proclamation from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
National Love Our Children Day is like Mother’s and Father’s Day for children and is celebrated across the U.S. This day was created to acknowledge the value of children and to educate parents on the importance of giving them love, protection and respect, the three essential elements children need to become strong and successful adults. By promoting healthy and happy children and strengthening families through the support of our nation’s communities, we can keep kids safe.
The event is a “Celebration of Children Day” whereby parents, grandparents and children spend quality time together.
In addition to Mayor Bloomberg, celebrity friends are joining Love Our Children USA to keep children safe. Ellen DeGeneres, Dancing With The Stars, American Idol, One Life To Live, The Talk, America’s Got Talent, CSI:NY, Bruno Mars, New York’s First Girlfriend Sandra Lee, Vicente Wolfe, Artist Paul Gerben, NJ Nets, Madame Alexander Doll Company, Matsu Sushi, Intercontinental Hotel, Elite Travel Resorts and many others rallied in support of Love Our Children USA by donating incredible auction live experiences and items that will be offered online at www.charitybuzz.com. The auction will run from Wednesday, April 6th to Thursday, April 28th.
According to Love Our Children USA Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ross Ellis “Child abuse has reached epidemic proportions and the unnecessary tragedies we’ve seen in the last year calls for educating the public immediately and often.” Reports of child abuse nationwide have increased by 30-percent in the last 10-years. If the country thinks child abuse isn’t a problem, they need to think again. More than 3 million children are victims of child abuse each year and almost 1.8 million children are reported missing each year, many of whom are abducted from their homes and front yards. Those are only the ones that are reported.
“It is of critical importance that we educate the American public and raise a greater awareness to break the cycle of violence against children – before it starts,” says Ellis.
Ross Ellis said "A child’s voice is small, ignored and unheard. We must raise the volume so that everyone hears their message. Imagine if everyone in the country wore a Blue Ribbon — if every community, business, school, faith organization, hospital and home displayed a Blue Ribbon — we could make such an impact in raising awareness to break the cycle that breaks children’s hearts… their lives… and their spirit. We must protect our children instead of protecting the people who are supposed to be protecting our most innocent. "
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is not only a timely opportunity to remind ourselves of our collective responsibility to protect America’s children and strengthen America’s families, but it is time to accelerate education and awareness of this very public epidemic and make our children a priority NOW. The country, our communities, concerned citizens, and even youth must work together to break the cycle.
