Remembering Children, Raising Awareness
Safe Shore Observes National Child Abuse Prevention Month – April 2012

We can all do something to protect children. Safe Shores is calling on all adults in the District to do something today. During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we’re amplifying our daily call to action with a series of events.

Congress established National Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983 to honor and remember children who have suffered abuse, violence and maltreatment, and to raise awareness about programs and services available nationwide to help reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Safe Shores’ activities for the month focus on the District of Columbia’s staggering child abuse crisis. DC has the highest rate of child victimization in the nation. Nearly 3,000 children will be victimized this year if previous trends persist. (Dept. of Health & Human Services)

On April 3, we will launch our observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month with our first Cherishing Childhood Breakfast fundraising event.

The month continues with a full range of exciting activities for everyone in the community. Together, we can raise awareness and prevent child abuse.

Please join us at the following events:

6 p.m., Sunday, April 15
Zumba Fitness Event & Clothing Drive at All Souls Church, 1500 Harvard Street NW, Washington DC 20009 (at the corner of 16th and Harvard). Purchase tickets. This event is open to the public.

7:05 p.m., Wednesday, April 18
Safe Shores at Nationals Park. Join Safe Shores as the Nationals take on the Astros for the premiere of Safe Shores’ National Child Abuse Prevention Month PSA on the Jumbotron. Safe Shores’ staff will be on hand to distribute information from the Community Kiosk.

Please purchase tickets through Safe Shores’ page on the Nationals’ website. A portion of each ticket purchase will help us continue to serve children and families affected by abuse, trauma and violence in the District. This event is open to the public.

3 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 24
Community child sexual abuse prevention training at Safe Shores. Space is limited and advance registration is required. To register, e-mail stewardsofchildren@safeshores.org. This event is free to attend and open to the public.

6 p.m.-10 p.m., Thursday, April 26
Touch of Blue III: A Networking Event to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month at Co Co. Sala, 929 F St., NW, Washington, DC 20004. Be sure to wear blue! This event is open to the public and the minimum suggested donation is $20.

For more information about any of the events, please contact Jada Irwin at 202-645-4436 or via e-mail at jirwin@safeshores.org.

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