Better life for children

Prevent Child Abuse America is excited to introduce Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania, a statewide organization focusing solely on primary prevention — stopping child abuse before it ever happens. PCA PA is one of 47 chapters of PCAA, a national organization created in 1972 to draw attention to and prevent the abuse of our nation’s children.

Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania is under the umbrella of the Pennsylvania Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and is the only state chapter of PCAA that is directly affiliated with a chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The primary focus of the organization is to raise public awareness of the importance of prevention and to get communities involved in supporting positive family interactions, and when necessary, reporting suspected child abuse and neglect (anyone can report suspected abuse by calling ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313). With more than 1 million confirmed cases of child abuse each year in our country (4,201 in Pennsylvania in 2008), the establishment of a PCA chapter in Pennsylvania is welcomed by all who want a better life for our children.

In a 2007 Economic Impact Study, it was estimated that the annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the U.S. is $104 billion. In addition to this staggering number is the number of abused and neglected children who grow up to have significantly increased risk of physical, emotional and mental health problems, drug and alcohol addiction, criminal activity and a variety of social difficulties.

PCA PA will launch a public awareness campaign in April for Child Abuse Prevention Month, beginning with a kick-off event on April 1. The campaign will seek to reframe the way society looks at child abuse and neglect through community events and attention to public policies that favor prevention first. In preparation for the campaign, PCA PA has introduced the Pinwheels for Prevention program, the national platform of PCAA, to raise awareness of our community commitment to work together to prevent child maltreatment and the clear message that prevention is possible. The pinwheel, a symbol of the carefree days of childhood, represents the vision PCA PA has for every child in Pennsylvania.

Future goals of PCA PA include the distribution of child abuse prevention information, collaborating with “Prevention Partners” such as children’s hospitals, pediatric practices, Children and Youth agencies and community service organizations, working to educate parents and teens on nonviolence, and promoting positive parenting practices.

To learn more and to find out how you can participate in the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, go to www.preventchildabusePA.org.

Source: http://www.dailyitem.com/0111_letters/local_story_039054411.html