April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
To help draw attention to the importance of supporting children and their families and increasing awareness about preventing child abuse, the Louisiana State Capitol will be aglow with blue lighting from dusk to dawn on Friday, April 5th.
The observance of National Child Abuse Prevention month dates to 1983 in the United States and focuses on prevention by creating positive community support for the well-being of families. Supporting this initiative is Prevent Child Abuse America and its Louisiana chapter, Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL), which is housed at VIA LINK, the agency that provides 2-1-1 and 9-8-8 services. “There are four types of child abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, and child neglect. We know that the best way to keep a child safe is to prevent child abuse in the first place. When families get the support they need, they are less likely to experience situations that lead to abuse. Often parents and even grandparents need help to find solutions within their home and family before a situation escalates. There are so many resources for parents, children, and teens – resources that can make an immediate difference,” noted LaVondra Dobbs, CEO of VIA LINK. “PCAL is encouraging our community to learn more about preventing child abuse and to participate in activities to raise awareness in April. We hope to see lots of blue this month. If you are in Baton Rouge this Friday night, look for the blue lights on the Capitol, and please take a few moments to pause and consider just how important preventing child abuse is to all communities in our state.”
Special thanks to the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services — Child Welfare Division for their promotion of CAP month and the work they do.