April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

All children deserve to be safe, yet millions of children experience the trauma of child abuse and neglect each year. In Missouri alone, the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline received over 68,000 reported incidents of child abuse in FY2017.

As a community, individuals, businesses, civic groups and government can work together to build strong families and ensure the safety of our youngest citizens.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed April to be National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Since then, state and local municipalities across the country have also taken steps to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Many organizations in Independence and across the Kansas City metro will lead a variety of child abuse prevention activities and events throughout the month of April.

Locally, join CAPA this April for CAPAcity: A City-in-Action Movement during Child Abuse Prevention Month. During the month of April, CAPA is asking organizations and businesses across the city to launch creative efforts to raise funds and awareness about child abuse. To learn more, visit: www.capacares.org/get-involved/events/ or call 816-252-8388.

Any concerned person can report suspicions of child abuse and neglect by calling the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at (800-392-3738) or the National Child Abuse Hotline (800-422-4453).