April has been nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month since 1985. April also recognizes Sexual Abuse Awareness as well. Each year, there are nearly 3 million reports of child abuse and neglect. Child abuse cases are vastly under-reported, as adults often fail to recognize or respond to warning signs of child abuse, and abused children suffer in fear and silence afraid to report. National Child Abuse Prevention Month offers each of us an opportunity to highlight child abuse facts, be pro-active in educating the public on child abuse, explain the importance of reporting child abuse, encourage community involvement, and support abused children.
DID YOU KNOW?
*1 in every 3 girls will be sexually molested before the age of 18
*1 in every 5 boys will be sexually molested before the age of 18
*Every 10 SECONDS a child is raped or killed in the U.S.
*Today up to 5 children will die from abuse or neglect
*In 13 seconds, another child will be abused in the U.S
*There were 2.9 million child abuse reports made in 1992
*ONLY 28% of the children identified as harmed by abuse are investigated
*Boys are at a greater risk of serious injury and of emotional neglect than are girls
*85% of the 1.2 – 1.5 million runaways are fleeing abuse at home
*80% of perpetrators are biological parents
*60 % of male survivors report at least one of their perpetrators to be female
*Children in mother-only households are 4 times more likely to be fatally abused
*Female abusers are typically younger than male abusers.
*The median age was 30 years for women and 33 years for men
*Today 6 children will commit suicide
*Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death (ages 15-24)
*Untreated child abuse increases the likelihood of arrest for a violent crime by 38 percent
*60 MILLION survivors are former victims of child sexual abuse in America today
*71 % of child sex offenders are under the age of 35
*38% of women & 20% of men have been sexually abused during adolescence
*It is estimated that 3%-6% of the clergy population has abused a child
*Natural mothers are the perpetrators of 93% of physical neglect, 86% educational neglect, 78% emotional neglect, 60% physical abuse, 55% emotional abuse
*The typical pedophile molests an average of 117 children–most of whom do not report the offense
~Imagine the outcry if these statistics represented a disease, which was wiping out 5 children per day, victimizing millions, and who’s by-products where disabilities & expanding violence. Youth rights are really about human rights, and simple empathy is a giant first step to the benefits of increased awareness. The high jump in child abuse statistics shows the importance of youth rights by showing cases of frightening lack of knowledge!!~
Go ahead….
IT’S TIME TO GET ANGRY ABOUT CHILD ABUSE IN OUR NATION!!
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Take Action
Each of us needs to take action to help prevent child abuse and neglect! Whether you donate to organizations advocating against child abuse, participate in a fundraising event, or join forces by contacting your local office, your contribution makes a huge difference.
What can you do right now? Anything you do to support kids and parents can help reduce the isolation and stress that often leads to abuse and neglect.
How YOU Can Help:
Be a friend to a parent you know. Ask how their children are doing. Draw on your own experiences to provide reassurance and support. If a parent seems to be struggling, offer to baby-sit or run errands, or just lend a friendly ear. Show you understand.
Be a friend to a child you know. Remember their names. Smile when you talk with them. Ask them about their day at school. Send them a card in the mail. Show you care.
Talk to your neighbors about looking out for one another’s children. Encourage a supportive spirit among parents in your apartment building or on your block. Show that you are involved.
Give your used clothing, furniture and toys for use by another family. This can help relieve the stress of financial burdens that parents sometimes take out on their kids.
Volunteer your time and money for programs in your community that support children and families, such as parent support groups, child care centers, and our state chapters and local Healthy Families America sites.
Advocate for public policies, innovative programs and issues that benefit children and families.
Purchase a STOP CHILD ABUSE t-shirt (Campaign runs 3/28/2016 – 4/11/2016) Purchase a STOP CHILD ABUSE t-shirt or hoodie for April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month! Campaign hosted by www.holdontohope.org. 25% of all sales will be donated to our nonprofit organization. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Purchase a STOP CHILD ABUSE Blue Silicone Bracelet – Show your support by wearing this stylish bracelet.
Purchase Pinwheels for Prevention – The pinwheel is the nationally recognized symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention. It also symbolizes the belief that every child has the right to grow and flourish to his/her full potential within a nurturing environment.
**DONATE**
If you are considering making a contribution, DREAMCATCHERSFOR ABUSED CHILDREN has many programs and services that would benefit from your generosity. Your tax-deductible contribution will be designated to promote child abuse awareness, intervention & prevention, along with support services for abuse victims. Any contribution you make will help us to fulfill our mission to prevent child abuse. If you have any questions or would like more information please email us at: dreamcatchersforabusedchildren@gmail.com — Please click here for more info!
**IN-KIND DONATIONS**
Donate an item, service or gift card/gift certificate to help aid abused children or our organization. If you would like to learn more about in-kind donations, please click here!
**DONATE A VEHICLE**
Donate your automobile, boat, motorcycle, jet ski or almost any other mode of transportation, working or not. Your donation will help benefit DREAMCATCHERS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN. If you would like to learn more about donating a vehicle, please click here!
**LEAVE A LEGACY**
“Leave a Legacy” is a campaign to help educate people from all walks of life about the possibility of making an estate gift to their charity of choice. Those of you who are able to give generously during our lifetime, and those who have been unable to make lifetime gifts, can discover ways to make major contributions through thoughtful, well planned wills and other gift techniques. Gifts may be in the form of money, property, investments or a portion of an estate. Learn more by clicking here!
**IN MEMORY–TRIBUTE MEMORIAL DONATIONS**
Commemorate a friend, family member, loved one, or an abused child by making a donation in their memory–give a lasting gift that fights back against child abuse and lives on for years to come. Learn more by clicking here!
**DFAC MERCHANDISE**
Our shirts themselves are part of our story, as DFAC has sparked countless conversations that begin with the question, “What does your shirt stand for?” We love hearing about these conversations, the ones that change lives, create friendships, and promote child abuse advocacy. You can find these T-shirts and all our other merchandise on the front page of our domain website by the shopping cart or by clicking here!
**PURCHASE “BRAVELETS” JEWELRY**
“BE BRAVE” ~ Dreamcatchers for Abused Children STOP CHILD ABUSE “Bravelets” Jewelry!! $10 from each product purchased will be donated to our organization. Check out our jewelry items by clicking here!
**DREAMCATCHERS FREE E-BOOK **
Free–Immediate Download: The Dreamcatchers for Abused Children Child Abuse Handbook is an educational self-help tutorial with information pertaining to all aspects of child abuse & neglect. It will teach you child abuse signs/symptoms, facts/ statistics, effects, intervention, reporting, prevention, and provide resources to help victims & survivors locate the help they need to obtain a full recovery. This handbook also provides state & local hotline numbers and contact agencies. Please visit this link to download your FREE e-book.
**PROMOTE–SPREAD THE WORD–EDUCATE THE PUBLIC**
One way is to try to get as many people as you can to look at our website & let your friend’s know that you are helping us promote child abuse awareness–it will help us to educate the public faster!! You will then be doing your part to help these children. Even if your friends only log on & read our site ONCE….they will remember the signs/symptoms to look for, who to contact, intervention, prevention & recovery of child abuse. JUST THINK OF HOW MANY CHILDREN’S LIVES COULD BE SAVED IF ALL INDIVIDUALS WERE TRAINED ON WHAT TO LOOK FOR!!! Education & knowledge is the key to prevention!!!!
**TALK TO YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL**
Talk to your local school and find out what programs they have implemented for child abuse awareness, sexual abuse awareness and/or anti-bullying programs. If they do not have any programs in place, ask them to consider one and help them to research how to implement one. This is VITAL for all communities and for the lives of our children!! Click here to learn more!
**DONATE YOUR TIME LOCALLY**
You could also look in your area @ your local resources to see if they need volunteers (@ the shelters, hospitals, DHS/CPS offices, schools, etc.) This would be a way for you to learn more about the statistics of child abuse & to help your community. Recently, one of our members used our website as a POWERPOINT PRESENTATION at his church. He not only received a huge, positive response from his missionary, but also had a child come forward to report molestation that had been taking place in the nursery—THE MAN WAS ARRESTED!!! All because she saw our website, was educated, and KNEW to report this crime!!!
**VOLUNTEER**
We encourage the public and other child abuse advocates to “volunteer” to help DREAMCATCHERS. We ask that you help to promote child abuse awareness & education, distribute our literature, publications and information and think of unique ideas/fundraisers to help us raise funds so that we may continue our mission successfully. We need the public to be actively involved in our child abuse advocacy—we cannot do it alone. Consider becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Volunteer!! CASA volunteers are desperately needed. Learn more here!
**FUNDRAISE**
We are an official non-profit 501(c)3 organization and are funded by donations, grants & charity benefits. You could organize unique fundraisers such as car washes, bake sales, community garage sale, art contests, 50/50 raffles, etc. ALL proceeds collected are directly donated back into the organization to help to help educate the public on how to help these abused children!!! Why not involve everyone in your community? Organize a community fund raiser & donate a percentage of the funds towards a child abuse organization of your choice. Learn more about fundraising here!
**SPONSORSHIP**
You could also ask businesses in your area if they might be interested in sponsoring us either directly or by holding a fund raiser or charity event. We accept gift items, monetary donations, in-kind donations and/or goods & services. Learn more about our sponsorship packages by clicking here!
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Child Maltreatment is Preventable
CDC works to stop child maltreatment, including abuse and neglect, before it initially occurs. In doing this, CDC promotes the development of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments between children and their parents or caregivers. Children’s experiences are defined through their environments (such as homes, schools, and neighborhoods) and relationships with parents, teachers, and other caregivers. Healthy relationships act as a buffer against adverse childhood experiences. They are necessary to ensure the long-term physical and emotional well-being of children.
Join CDC’s Initiative to Prevent Child Maltreatment
Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments are essential to prevent child maltreatment and to assure children reach their full potential. The Essentials for Childhood initiative has a technical package that proposes evidence-based strategies communities can consider to promote relationships and environments that help children grow up to be healthy and productive citizens.
The Essentials for Childhood downloadable package is intended for communities committed to the positive development of children and families, and specifically to prevent child abuse and neglect. While child maltreatment is a significant public health problem, it is also a preventable one. The steps suggested in the Essentials for Childhood package—along with your commitment to preventing child maltreatment—can help create neighborhoods, communities, and a world in which every child can thrive.
Downloadable Materials
Web-based Resources
Online Training
“Building Community, Building Hope” is a video series showing real-world, collaborative solutions to the problem of child abuse and neglect.
Download (PDF – 2,027 KB)
OSHS’s Safe and Supportive Schools TA Center provides resources and support to help schools and communities develop rigorous measurement systems that assess school climate and implement and evaluate programmatic interventions. We welcome you to explore and discover, ask questions, and share your perspectives.
The Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime outlines strategies for how to respond if a child tells you that he or she has been abused.
Click Here for information about child maltreatment and ways to prevent it in your home, school and neighborhood. The packet is compiled by our Families Are Magic Coordinator with the latest and most effective information and activities to empower community members to fight child abuse and neglect.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Download (PDF – 4,577 KB)
Spanish Resources
MICHIGAN – A Sanilac County Circuit judge has granted parenting time and joint legal custody of an 8-year-old boy to a convicted sex offender who allegedly raped the child’s mother nine years ago. Christopher Mirasolo, 27, of Brown City was awarded joint legal custody by Judge Gregory S. Ross after DNA testing established paternity of the child, according to the victim’s attorney, Rebecca Kiessling, who is seeking protection under the federal Rape Survivor Child Custody Act. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 17, 2017 at 1:30pm,. The case, initially reported on “The Steve Gruber Show,” a Lansing-based radio program, is believed the first of its kind in Michigan and possibly the nation. According to the victim and Kiessling, it was prompted after the county surveyed the victim regarding child support she had received this past year. READ MORE HERE
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