April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

The impact of child abuse is devastating for individuals, families and communities. According to the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center (SFCAPC), abused children are more likely to experience negative educational, health, and behavioral outcomes and have greater difficulty leading successful and productive lives as adults. Moreover, abused children have a 25 percent greater risk of experiencing low academic achievement and are more likely to drop out of school and become teenage parents.

SFCAPC is one organization that has tirelessly worked to prevent child abuse. This year they are spearheading a public awareness campaign to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month. They gathered their supporters on April 16, 2015 at the steps of City Hall. SFCAPC is also spearheading a social media campaign by sending 5,200 tweets, one for each child abuse victim in the San Francisco area, to further raise awareness.

A presidential proclamation in 1983 declared April Child Abuse Prevention Month. Since then, April has been a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse. President Obama continued this longstanding tradition by issuing a statement proclaiming his administration's commitment to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

Help spread the word today by using the hashtag: #ChildAbusePreventionMonth.

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