April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

DAYTON, TX (KTRK) -- All too often, residents of Liberty and Chambers counties prefer to believe that child abuse is something that happens in other places and to other children. Tragically, this is simply not the case and pretending otherwise is a disservice to every child in our area.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, a time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and create strong communities to support children and families. Crime Victims' Rights Week is April 21-27, 2013 and this year's theme is "Engaging Communities: Empowering Victims," which means by engaging community leaders and organizations in the work to support crime victims, new avenues can be provided for victims and to enhance the ability to serve them. Throughout the month of April, efforts will be made to increase awareness of this problem that plagues all communities.

Last year alone, 244 new child abuse cases were reported to Bridgehaven Children's Advocacy Center. The serious nature of this problem is of major concern, because children in the community are being victimized and robbed of their childhood.

For more information on child abuse prevention; events and activities scheduled during April; or to schedule a free child abuse presentation or information on Bridgehaven, call 936-258-0400 or go online to bridgehavencac.org. If you would like to volunteer at any of Bridgehaven's events, please feel free to contact Meagan Croker at mcroker@bridgehavencac.org.

Read more from Dayton News, a Houston Community Newspaper partner.