Child abuse is a pervasive and deadly problem. 

Recent statistics show that in 2009, an estimated 763,000 children were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect.  As in prior years, neglect was the most common form of child maltreatment, but victims also suffered from physical abuse, sexual abuse and psychological maltreatment.  And an estimated 1,770 children died.  The numbers tell the bittersweet story of child abuse in America: although the numbers represent a steady decline over the last three years of abused and neglected children, even one abused child is one too many.  

However, the decline is good news, and child advocacy centers ("CACs") across the nation are an important part of this success. CACs intervened in some 267,000 child abuse cases last year, and provide over 519,000 individuals with child abuse prevention training - clearly, the dual approach of intervention and prevention is working. Nonetheless, crimes involving children as victims and/or witnesses are among the most commonly underreported.  And so, we must continue to focus on education as the key to reaching a far greater number of victims and potential victims. Every adult needs to know the signs of abuse, how to report child abuse, and how to prevent maltreatment.

National Children's Alliance stands for the proposition that communities working together on behalf of child victims of abuse can make all the difference in terms of response and intervention and in the lives of the child victims themselves.

Join us today and make a difference in the life of a child.