Read one Child Abuse Survivor's Story

FACTS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE
IN OUR COMMUNITY
 

□         Child abuse is a community health epidemic with long-term consequences for the child, the family, the community, and society.

□         Every 35 seconds a child in America is confirmed as abused or neglected.

□         Every 6 hours a child in America is killed by abuse or neglect.

□         1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18^th birthday.

□         Cumberland County has the 3^rd highest number of child abuse cases reported (4,923 in FY 04-05), the 2^nd highest number of cases substantiated (1,512 in FY 04-05) and the highest number of homicides from child abuse in NC (5 in 2004).

□         There are 386 sex offenders in Cumberland County registered with the NC Sex Offender Registry.  (Actual number of sex offenders is generally thought to be 3 times higher than registered numbers).

□         Cumberland County spends the least amount per child on mental health services than any other county in NC.

□         There is no other agency providing similar services in our community.

□         The CAC model is considered “best practice” according to research and is endorsed by the National Children’s Alliance, the accrediting body for CAC’s.

□         CAC’s can decrease the overall impact of child abuse by reducing further victimization to abused children; by assisting the healing of child abuse victims and families; by increasing the number of successful prosecutions of child abuse perpetrators; by encouraging parents and other adults to stop abusive and neglectful behaviors; by reducing the costs to the community and to society and decreasing the number of child abuse victims through awareness and prevention community education.

□     Learn the facts about child abuse. Recognize that as a community problem, child abuse requires a community response and solution.

□        Wear or display a blue ribbon to support child abuse prevention & promote discussion about the issue.

□        Advocate on behalf of abused children by speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves.

□       Examine and adjust your own behaviors within your family and your level of support and action regarding the safety of all children.

□        Offer to help a family in need financially or with other methods of support or resources.

□        Learn the signs of abuse and neglect and learn how to make a report.

□        Learn about the CAC and what services it provides in the community.

□    Provide financial support to the CAC through a tax deductible donation or in-kind donation of services or supplies.

□        Purchase blue ribbon merchandise to show your support of child abuse prevention and the CAC.

□        Attend events and fundraisers hosted by the CAC to show support for abused children and the agencies and professionals that help them.

□        Attend a training offered by the CAC on recognizing child abuse, community prevention efforts, Darkness 2 Light child sexual abuse prevention, and more.

□        Request a general awareness & prevention presentation by the CAC for a group to which you belong.