April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to child abuse education, awareness and prevention activities. Observing National Child Abuse Prevention month, Love Our Children USA, headquartered in New York, kicks off its GET BLUE campaign -- a national effort to educate and raise awareness for preventing violence against children.

As the "Blue Ribbon" is the symbol for child abuse prevention, Love Our Children USA urges every person across the country to GET BLUE. By wearing a Blue Ribbon pin or Love Our Children USA’s Break The Cycle Blue Silicone Bracelet during April and throughout the year, individuals can:

• help educate families, children, neighbors, organizations and communities on how to prevent child violence and neglect
• encourage community and individual involvement in recognizing and preventing child violence and neglect
• assist families in achieving healthy parenting practices through education and resources
• empower individuals to report child victimization and intervene in situations where violence and neglect harm children.

According to Love Our Children USA, reports of violence against children nationwide have increased by 30-percent in the last 12-years. Every day 5 children die from child abuse. More than 3 million children are victims of violence each year and with so many being unreported, it is estimated that 9 million children are abused each year. Almost 1.8 million children are reported missing each year, many of whom are abducted from their homes and front yards. Those are only the ones that are reported. The organization maintains that violence against children has reached epidemic proportions.

"We can no longer overlook America ’s children who are at risk and peril every day -- and at even greater risk in times of stress. It is of critical importance that we educate the American public and raise a greater awareness to break the cycle tof violence against children -- before it starts," says Ross Ellis, founder and CEO of Love Our Children, USA .

"A child's voice is small, ignored and unheard. We must raise the volume so that everyone hears their message," Ellis said. "Imagine if everyone in the country wore a Blue Ribbon -- if every community, business, school, faith organization, hospital and home displayed a Blue Ribbon -- we could make such an impact in raising awareness to break the cycle that breaks children's hearts ... their lives ... and their spirit."

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