Childhelp National Day of Hope takes place each year during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The first Wednesday in April is set aside to ask the country to make a life-long commitment to joining the fight to end child abuse and neglect.
Child abuse and neglect affect an estimated 700,000 children each year in the United States. Of these, the youngest are the most vulnerable. In 2015 in the United States, statistics from the U.S. Administration for Children & Families estimate that 1,670 children died as a result of abuse and neglect.
The victims who survive face potential life-long issues. Some of the issues include:
- at risk of becoming abusive themselves
- may abuse alcohol and drugs
- depression
- suicide
- criminal behavior
- other addictions
But there is hope. Organizations across the country provide support to the victims through programs that not only raise awareness but provide ways to prevent child abuse. The programs also create pathways to intervention leading children out of abusive situations and into either foster homes or group homes. These programs create a network of information designed to increase the awareness of the victims so they can feel empowered to speak to the adults in their lives who will advocate for them.
The day also provides resources to encourage reporting of abuse through hotlines to bring the vulnerable to safety.
HOW TO OBSERVE #ChildhelpNationalDayOfHope
- Light a 5 wick candle and observe a 5-minute silence to represent the approximately 5 children who die every day as a result of abuse in the United States.
- Fight to end child abuse.
- Support organizations that protect and care for children.
- Volunteer or donate.
- use #ChildhelpNationalDayOfHope to post on social media.
CHILDHELP NATIONAL DAY OF HOPE HISTORY
In 2000, a Congressional resolution designated Childhelp National Day of Hope to be observed on the first Wednesday of April each year. Yvonne Fedderson and Sara O’meara of Childhelp.org worked to bring this day and the victims it honors to light.