Terry Goddard Recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month

(Phoenix, Ariz. - April 5, 2010) On average, one child is abused or neglected every hour in Arizona. Last year, Arizona Child Protective Services received more than 33,000 reports involving the alleged maltreatment of some 49,000 children. Nationally, five children die every day from child abuse.

Those grim statistics give Attorney General Terry Goddard good reason to call attention to National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Tuesday’s Arizona Day of Hope Event at the State Capitol. 

“Every child deserves to grow up in a nurturing and caring environment. Sadly, child abuse is an atrocity that continues every day against innocent victims who cannot protect themselves” Goddard said. “Child Abuse Prevention month sheds a light on a problem that has been increasing in our State. We must continue to fight tirelessly through education, awareness and intervention.”

In an effort to heighten awareness of child abuse and provide useful information, Childhelp in partnership with the Child Abuse and Prevention Coalition is hosting the Arizona Day of Hope Event at the Capitol on Tuesday.

EVENT DETAILS

When: Tuesday April 6 
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Informational booth expo
10:30 a.m. -- Press Conference
Where: AZ State Capitol -- Senate Lawn 
1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, Ariz.

The Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Coalition is a multidisciplinary effort to raise awareness and prevent infant and toddler homicide and abuse in Arizona. Over 56 agencies are involved in the coalition, bringing together government, the private sector and nonprofits to fight against child abuse. 

The coalition was started after the death of three-year-old Schala Vera of Chandler, who died August 31, 2009, after she was beaten by her mother’s boyfriend. She died behind a toilet trying to hide from her attackers.

The Attorney General's Office provides comprehensive legal representation to the Department of Economic Security on behalf of abused and neglected children and in support of Child Protective Services' efforts to protect children, preserve families and achieve permanency for Arizona's kids.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Arizona Child Protective Services toll-free child abuse hotline: 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445).