Hotlines and Helplines

http://www.floridaamberalert.com/

Criteria For Activation
To activate the alert the following five (5) criteria must be met.

The child must be under 18 years of age.

There must be a clear indication of an abduction.

The law enforcement agency's investigation must conclude that the child's life is in danger.

There must be a detailed description of child and/or abductor/vehicle to broadcast to the public (photo when available).

The activation must be recommended by the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction.

Note: Not to be used for Runaway

Steps For Activation
The Amber alert can only be activated by law enforcement.

The local law enforcement agency will call the FDLE Missing Children Information Clearinghouse (MCIC) at 1-888-356-4774.

The FDLE will work in conjunction with the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction to determine if information is to be broadcast on a regional or statewide basis.

The FDLE working in conjunction with the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction will prepare information (i.e., child, suspect and/or vehicle, contact information) for public distribution.

The FDLE will ensure that the information is broadcast through the Emergency Alert System, Dynamic Message Signs, lottery machines, http://www.missingchildrenalert.com , and other resources.

Make Use Of All Available Resources
Local media outlets

Local Crime Stoppers

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678 (Florida Branch 1-561-848-1900)

Jimmy Ryce Center for Victims of Predatory Abductions 1-800-JIM-RYCE (546-7923)

Child Watch (Orlando) 1-800-928-2445

A Child is Missing, Inc. 1-888-875-2246

FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime 1-800-634-4097

If you have any questions about the Florida Amber Plan, please contact the FDLE/MCIC at 1-888-356-4774 or http://www.fdle.state.fl.us

One millionth sex
offender alert sent
Updated: Wednesday, 24 Jun 2009, 8:26 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 24 Jun 2009, 7:26 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement sent out its one millionth sex offender e-mail alert Tuesday.

The Florida Offender Alert System, which was launched last year, sends e-mail alert notifications when registered sexual offenders or predators move into a neighborhood or any other location designated by the user. Subscribers can also choose to track an offender or predator and recieve notifications when he or she moves.

Since the system was launched more than 55,000 subscribers have signed up. The one millionth alert marks a milestone in providing timely and valuable information to Florida residents.

The Florida Offender Alert System is offered free by FDLE. It is available at www.flsexoffender.net .

Supporters


Actress and Children’s Author Jada Pinkett Smith reads The Great Tomato Adventure to preschoolers. Launched by NCMEC and Duracell, The Great Tomato Adventure is a new, free children’s book offering updated child-safety lessons for families. (AP Photo/Duracell,Stuart Ramson)
Corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individuals provide critical resources to support NCMEC's mission, touching the lives of families nationwide.

Sponsors and Partners
Corporate Sponsors
Community Partners

Purchases that Support NCMEC
Comprehensive Internet Security Software from CA
Burgers and Cookbooks from Red Robin
Tasty Sauces from Tavern on the Green

Annual Sponsorship Events
Hope Awards and Congressional Breakfast
Annual NCMEC Golf Tournament & Auction

Become a Partner or Sponsor
Why Partner with NCMEC?
Creating Successful Partnerships
Individual Opportunities
Annual Report


Everyday Heroes
Without a couple of everyday heroes, NCMEC would never have been founded. These visionaries have given hope to the families of missing children and helped in the recovery of more than 99,000 children. Even now regular people continue to do the extraordinary to help keep children safer.

DC101’s Elliot in the Morning
Parrot Heads Party With a Purpose
Pivot Point Cares For Kids
School Girl Puts Peppermint Pies to Work for NCMEC

Corporate Sponsors

Children’s Leadership Circle ($500K+)

Anonymous

Canon U.S.A., Inc.
NCMEC and Canon U.S.A. have collaborated since 1997. Canon stresses the need for parents to update photos and have them available to assist authorities in a search for a missing child. Canon has provided photographic and printing products to law enforcement agencies nationwide to aid in the recovery of missing children. The current program, Canon4Kids, features pictures of missing children in various venues. As part of the effort, professional golfers Briny Baird and Michelle McGann each place a photo of a local missing child on their golf bags during each tournament in which they play. The photos are seen by millions of people who watch in person or on television.

Honeywell International, Inc.
Honeywell and NCMEC partnered to create Got 2B Safe! to educate children and their parents on how to help prevention abduction and exploitation. To date, the program has reached over 3 million students.

LexisNexis
LexisNexis is the proud sponsor of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s International Computer Training Lab that bears its name at the headquarters building in Alexandria, Virginia. In addition, LexisNexis allows NCMEC staff to use legal, news, and company public-records data resources to help reduce, eliminate, or mitigate crimes against children.

Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Corp. has been a proud sponsor of NCMEC since 2003, and has partnered with NCMEC on programs promoting Internet safety and initiatives to combat online child exploitation.

News Corporation
News Corporation has been a strong supporter of NCMEC’s efforts to create a safer online experience for younger users. As sponsors of NCMEC’s Special Analysis Unit, NetSmartz Workshop, and Ad Council Campaigns, News Corporation provides much needed and vital assistance. The partnership goal is to educate parents and guardians about measures they can take to better protect their children online and help teens learn how to be smart about maintaining safer online relationships.

Wal-Mart and SAM’S Club
As a part of our commitment to keeping kids safe, the Missing Children’s Network was formed through a partnership between Wal-Mart, SAM'S CLUB and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Wal-Mart's Missing Children's Network consists of a bulletin board in every Wal-Mart Store and SAM'S CLUB nationwide. Each bulletin board contains 17 posters of missing children, along with relevant personal information, and is updated monthly. The visibility of the Missing Children's Network bulletin boards and pictures featured on Wal-Mart Television Network permeates big cities and small towns in every corner of the country providing tremendous exposure .To date, photos of over 9,614 children have been displayed. 7,868 of these have been recovered and 189 recoveries resulted directly from one of our boards.



Children’s Society ($250K – 499K)

CA
CA, Inc. (NYSE: CA), one of the world’s largest information technology (IT) management software companies, unifies and simplifies the management of enterprise-wide IT. CA’s extraordinary commitment to NCMEC, beginning in 1990, has enabled it to grow both nationally and internationally, reaching thousands of children and teens. As the creator of the original missingkids.com website, the solution that helps provides security to the analysis of online crimes against children, and the platform that enables distribution of missing children’s data and information, CA has been a vital partner in increasing the recovery rate for missing children from 62 percent in 1990 to more than 96 percent today. CA ensures that the IT infrastructure is operating effectively 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In the fall of 2008, CA launched its Internet Security Suite Plus 2009 raising vital funds for NCMEC with the purchase of each product.

Lifetouch National School Studios Inc.
A photograph is the most critical tool in the search for a missing child. Since 2004 Lifetouch National School Studios Inc., the nation’s leading school photography provider, has distributed SmileSafe Kids safety identification cards to 100 million children and families. Lifetouch portraits have been used in more than 400 searches and appeared on more than 200 missing children posters. By partnering with schools and NCMEC, Lifetouch provides a 24/7 rapid response system that is triggered when children are missing. Lifetouch is also the corporate sponsor for the NCMEC Take 25 campaign that brings SmileSafe Kids to many more children and families.

Qwest Foundation
The Qwest Foundation is working with NCMEC to raise awareness among families about online safety issues and to proactively help combat online exploitation of youth by encouraging increased parental and guardian understanding and education. The funding of NetSmartz411, a premiere Internet safety helpdesk, by the Qwest Foundation complements Qwest Communications’ commitment to online safety and leadership in online safety education.

Sprint
Sprint, through their 4NetSafety program, has partnered with NCMEC to develop NSTeens to educate tweens about making safer choices online. NSTeens also provides information for parents, guardians and educators to assist kids in safe online practices. Currently, 100% of the net proceeds from Sprint’s wireless recycling program, Sprint Project Connect, support the 4NetSafety program. Through 4NetSafety, Sprint is committed to keeping kids safe online.

Target Corporation



Children’s Guild ($100K – 249K)

Check n' Go
Check ‘n Go is committed to providing services that preserve both the financial security and the dignity of our customers. Promoting the images of missing children and distributing seasonal child safety tips in more than 1,300 retail locations throughout the country, Check ‘ Go continues to expand its support for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and its mission to keep children safer. Through the coordination of child safety events within our local communities, Check ‘n Go partners with NCMEC to get Safe ‘n Secure Child ID Kits into the hands of parents in the neighborhoods where we live and work. More information about Check ‘n Go’s products and services is available online at www.checkngo.com.

Duracell
Duracell and NCMEC have developed the Power of Parents program — a nationwide child safety preparedness program designed to help families protect their children. The program helps to dispel the most common safety myths and remind families of the importance of keeping an up-to-date photo of their child.

EMCOR Group, Inc.
EMCOR Group, Inc. developed its Taking KidSafety to the Street program to circulate NCMEC's missing children’s posters on company service vehicles nationwide, distributing learning materials, and as NCMEC’s national corporate sponsor for Code Adam, protecting this country's most important buildings with Code Adam trained personnel.

Google

Limited Brands, Inc.
Limited Brands is a proud supporter of NCMEC and dedicated to raising funds and awareness of the issues of child abduction and online exploitation throughout the Loss Prevention industry.

MasterCard Worldwide
Through its financial contribution and by working to shut off the funds that support the commercial sale of child pornography via the Internet, MasterCard Worldwide is proud to help NCMEC fight the exploitation of children everywhere.

Pivot Point International, Inc.
Pivot Point International, Inc. is a hair and beauty education company with affiliated schools and advanced academies in over 70 countries. Since 1962 Pivot Point has educated over 1 million cosmetology students worldwide, resulting in an ever-expanding network of well-trained, dedicated professionals who serve our industry every day. Since 1997 Pivot Point has supported NCMEC through its philanthropic arm, Pivot Point Cares for Kids. Through a variety of activities, including its annual ³Nationwide Cut-A-Thon,² the company has raised over $800,000 for the NCMEC.

Sprint Foundation

Sun Microsystems, Inc.



Children’s Committee ($75K – 99K)

Farmers Insurance Group

Ingres Corporation



Corporate Patron ($50K – 74K)

Adobe

American Student List Company

AOL, Inc.

Capital One Services, Inc.

DC101

Earthlink

Entwistle & Cappucci LLP

Liberty Mutual

Limited Brands Foundation

Qualcomm

VeriSign, Inc.



Corporate Friend ($20K – 49K)

Abercrombie & Fitch

American Express

American Student List

BDS Marketing

Best Buy

BMC Software

BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Cox Communications, Inc.

Old Glory Harley Davidson

Papa John's Pizza

Power Creative

Raytheon

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.

Retail Industry Leaders

Smart Circle International

Nancy Grace and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Yahoo!

Hotlines and Helplines



Child Abuse Reporting Numbers Listed by State

State toll-free numbers for specific agencies designated to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl_dsp.cfm?rs_id=5&rate_chno=11-11172


Child Pornography Tipline

1-800-843-5678
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2936


ChildhelpUSA

Report Child Abuse

1-800-4-A-Child

1-800-422-4453
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2936


Cybertip

Canada's National Tipline for Reporting Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

1-866-658-9022
https://www.cybertip.ca/en/cybertip/report_form/


Dating Violence & Stalking Resource Center

Monday-Friday
8:30 am - 8:30 pm ET
Serving victims in more than 180 languages

1-800-FYI-CALL

1-800-394-2255
http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_DatingViolenceResourceCenter101


National Domestic Violence/Abuse Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 TDD

http://www.ndvh.org/

National Hotlines and Helplines
http://www.focusas.com/Hotlines.html


National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline

1-866-331-9474

http://www.loveisrespect.org/

Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN)

1-800-656-HOPE

1-800-656-4673
http://www.rainn.org/


STOP IT NOW! Helpline

If a youth is sexually abusing

Monday-Friday 9 am - 6 pm, ET

1-888-PREVENT

1-888-773-8368
http://stopitnow.com/


Survivors UK Helpline

For men who have been raped or sexually abused

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 7-10pm UK time

0845 122 1201

http://www.survivorsuk.org/

International Hotlines

https://www.inhope.org/en/content/details.php



American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children ~ Helps professionals to respond to children and their families affected by abuse and violence.
http://www.apsac.org/



Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers ~ This professional organization focuses on the prevention of sexual abuse through effective management of sex offenders.
http://www.atsa.com/index.html


Bishop Accountability ~ Information and resources documenting the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/


Captive Daughters ~ Anti-trafficking group that focuses on ending the sexual bondage of female adolescents and children.
http://www.captivedaughters.org/


Child Abuse Prevention Network ~ For professionals in the field of child abuse and neglect.
http://www.child-abuse.com/


Child Welfare Information Gateway ~ National resource on the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect and related child welfare issues.
http://www.childwelfare.gov/


Child Welfare League ~ Association of more than 1,100 public and private nonprofit agencies that assist over 3.5 million abused and neglected children and their families each year with a wide range of services.
http://www.cwla.org/


Crimes Against Children Research Center ~ Provides research and statistics about the nature of crimes including child abduction, homicide, rape, assault, and physical and sexual abuse as well as their impact.
http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/


Empathic Parenting ~ Website of the Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
http://www.empathicparenting.org/



Johnny Gosch Foundation ~ Educates on the reality and seriousness of kidnapping and pornography, and how it could happen to your family. READ THIS IMPORTANT BOOK! Why Johnny Can't Come Home.
http://www.johnnygosch.com/


Joyful Child Foundation ~ In memory of Samantha Runnion, The Joyful Child is dedicated to protecting our nation's children from sexual abuse and abduction through programs that unite and uplift communities.
http://thejoyfulchild.org/


Justice for Children ~ The mission is to raise the consciousness of our society about the failure of our governmental agencies to protect victims of child abuse, to provide legal advocacy for abused children and to develop and implement a full range of solutions that enhance the quality of life for these children.
http://www.jfcadvocacy.org/


Morality in Media ~ Interfaith organization that combats obscenity and upholds decency standards in the media. It maintains the National Obscenity Law Center, a clearinghouse of legal materials on obscenity law, and conducts public information programs to educate and involve concerned citizens.
http://www.moralityinmedia.org/


Mothers Against Sexual Abuse (MASA) ~ Education, advocacy, and support.
http://www.againstsexualabuse.org/


National Association to Protect Children ~ Powerful, nonpartisan grassroots force for the protection of children from abuse, exploitation and neglect.
http://www.protect.org/


National Center for Children Exposed to Violence ~ Resource center for anyone seeking information about the effects of violence on children and the initiatives designed to address this problem.
http://www.nccev.org/


National Center for Victims of Crime ~ Victim services, advocacy, and education.
http://www.ncvc.org/


National Coalition Against Domestic Violence ~ Advocacy, education, and support for community-based groups to eliminate both personal and societal violence against all women and children.
http://www.ncadv.org/


National Organization Against Male Sexual Victimization ~ Education, advocacy, and support for adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
http://www.malesurvivor.org/


National Organization for Victim Assistance ~ Promotes rights and services for victims of crime and crisis everywhere.
http://www.trynova.org/


Obscenitycrimes.org ~ Resource for educating the public and reporting possible violations of Internet obscenity laws.
http://www.trynova.org/


Operation Blue Ridge Thunder ~ Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
http://www.blueridgethunder.com/


Parents for Megan's Law ~ Provides assistance to parents and organizations about ways to effectively and responsibly manage Megan’s Law high risk sex offender notifications on a community level, help raise awareness about the public’s rights for information under Megan’s Law, and ways to prevent childhood sexual abuse.
http://www.parentsformeganslaw.org/


Prevent Child Abuse America ~ Working at the national, state and local levels to prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation's children.
http://www.preventchildabuse.org/index.shtml


Prostitution Research and Education ~ A sponsored project of San Francisco Women's Centers, this site includes list of organizations providing services for women and children escaping prostitution.
http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/


SASIAN ~ Sibling Abuse Survivors' Information and Advocacy Network
http://www.sasian.org/index.htm


Speak Out for Stephanie ~ Provides information and creates public awareness about all sex offenders, victim's rights, and the quandary within the criminal justice system. SOS Chapters on college campuses.
http://www.sos.lawrence.com/index.html


Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, and Exploitation ~ SESAME believes the power imbalance between a teacher and a student of any age creates a climate that can facilitate sexually exploitative behavior by the teacher, behavior that is psychologically equivalent to incest.
http://www.sesamenet.org/


YES International Child Abuse Network ~ Provides crisis, information and referral services world-wide for those who are having issues around child abuse.
http://www.yesican.org/

Child Abuse and Neglect
Warning Signs of Abuse and How to Report It

In the USA, an estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse & neglect every year, making child abuse as common as it is shocking. Whether the abuse is physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect, the scars can be deep and long-lasting, often leading to future child abuse. You can learn the signs and symptoms of child abuse and help break the cycle, finding out where to get help for the children and their caregivers.
In This Article:
Facts about child abuse and neglect
Physical child abuse
Emotional child abuse
Sexual abuse in children
Child neglect
What to do if a child reports abuse
Reporting child abuse and neglect
Child abuse prevention
Facts about child abuse and neglect
How could anyone abuse a defenseless child? Most of us can’t imagine what would make an adult abuse a child. The worse the behavior is, the more unimaginable it seems. Yet sadly, child abuse is much more common then you might think. Child abuse cuts across social classes and all ethnicities. And the abuse overwhelmingly is at the hands of those who are supposed to be protecting the child- the parents.

What is child abuse?
Child abuse happens in many different ways, but the result is the same- serious physical or emotional harm. Physical or sexual abuse may be the most striking types of abuse, since they often unfortunately leave physical evidence behind. However, emotional abuse and neglect are serious types of child abuse that are often more subtle and difficult to spot. Child neglect is the most common type of child abuse.

How can child abuse happen?
There are many complicated factors that lead to child abuse. Risk factors for child abuse include:

History of child abuse. Unfortunately, the patterns we learn in childhood are often what we use as parents. Without treatment and insight, sadly, the cycle of child abuse often continues.
Stress and lack of support. Parenting can be a very time intensive, difficult job. Parents caring for children without support from family, friends or the community can be under a lot of stress. Teen parents often struggle with the maturity and patience needed to be a parent. Caring for a child with a disability, special needs or difficult behaviors is also a challenge. Caregivers who are under financial or relationship stress are at risk as well.
Alcohol or drug abuse. Alcohol and drug abuse lead to serious lapses in judgment. They can interfere with impulse control making emotional and physical abuse more likely. Due to impairment caused by being intoxicated, alcohol and drug abuse frequently lead to child neglect
Domestic violence. Witnessing domestic violence in the home, as well as the chaos and instability that is the result, is emotional abuse to a child. Frequently domestic violence will escalate to physical violence against the child as well.
The lasting effects of child abuse
All types of child abuse and neglect leave lasting scars. Some of these scars might be physical, but emotional scarring has long lasting effects throughout life, damaging a child’s sense of self and ability to have healthy relationships.

You can make a difference

One of the most painful effects of child abuse is its tendency to repeat itself. One of every three abused or neglected children will grow up to become an abusive parent. You may be reluctant to interfere in someone’s family, but you can make a huge difference in a child’s life if you do. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal from their abuse and not perpetuate the cycle.

Physical child abuse: Warning signs and how to help
Many physically abusive parents and caregivers insist that their actions are simply forms of discipline, ways to make children learn to behave. But there’s a big difference between giving an unmanageable child a swat on the backside and twisting the child’s arm until it breaks. Physical abuse can include striking a child with the hand, fist, or foot or with an object, burning, shaking, pushing, or throwing a child; pinching or biting the child, pulling a child by the hair or cutting off a child’s air. Another form of child abuse involving babies is shaken baby syndrome, in which a frustrated caregiver shakes a baby roughly to make the baby stop crying, causing brain damage that often leads to severe neurological problems and even death.

Warning signs of physical abuse
Physical signs. Sometimes physical abuse has clear warning signs, such as unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts. While all children will take a tumble now and then, look for age-inappropriate injuries, injuries that appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt, or a pattern of severe injuries.

Behavioral signs. Other times, signs of physical abuse may be more subtle. The child may be fearful, shy away from touch or appear to be afraid to go home. A child’s clothing may be inappropriate for the weather, such as heavy, long sleeved pants and shirts on hot days.

Caregiver signs. Physically abusive caregivers may display anger management issues and excessive need for control. Their explanation of the injury might not ring true, or may be different from an older child’s description of the injury.

Is physical punishment the same as physical abuse?
Physical punishment, the use of physical force with the intent of inflicting bodily pain, but not injury, for the purpose of correction or control, used to be a very common form of discipline. Most of us know it as spanking or paddling. Many of us may feel we were spanked as children without damage to body or psyche. The widespread use of physical punishment, however, doesn’t necessarily make it a good idea. The level of force used by an angry or frustrated parent can easily get out of hand and lead to injury. Even if it doesn’t, what a child learns from being hit as punishment is less about why conduct is right or wrong than about behaving well — or hiding bad behavior — out of fear of being hit.

Emotional child abuse
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”. This old saying could not be farther from the truth. Emotional child abuse may seem invisible. However, because emotional child abuse involves behavior that interferes with a child’s mental health or social development, the effects can be extremely damaging and may even leave deeper lifelong psychological scars than physical abuse.

Emotional child abuse takes many forms, in words and in actions.

Words. Examples of how words can hurt include constant belittling, shaming, and humiliating a child, calling names and making negative comparisons to others, or constantly telling a child he or she is “no good," "worthless," "bad," or "a mistake." How the words are spoken can be terrifying to a child as well, such as yelling, threatening, or bullying.

Actions. Basic food and shelter may be provided, but withholding love and affection can have devastating effects on a child. Examples include ignoring or rejecting a child, giving him or her the silent treatment. Another strong component of emotional abuse is exposing the child to inappropriate situations or behavior. Especially damaging is witnessing acts that cause a feeling of helplessness and horror, such as in domestic violence or watching another sibling or pet be abused.

Signs of emotional child abuse
Behavioral signs. Since emotional child abuse does not leave concrete marks, the effects may be harder to detect. Is the child excessively shy, fearful or afraid of doing something wrong? Behavioral extremes may also be a clue. A child may be constantly trying to parent other children for example, or on the opposite side exhibit antisocial behavior such as uncontrolled aggression. Look for inappropriate age behaviors as well, such as an older child exhibiting behaviors more commonly found in younger children.

Caregiver signs. Does a caregiver seem unusually harsh and critical of a child, belittling and shaming him or her in front of others? Has the caregiver shown anger or issues with control in other areas? A caregiver may also seem strangely unconcerned with a child’s welfare or performance. Keep in mind that there might not be immediate caregiver signs. Tragically, many emotionally abusive caregivers can present a kind outside face to the world, making the abuse of the child all the more confusing and scary.

Sexual child abuse
Sexual abuse, defined as any sexual act between an adult and a child, has components of both physical and emotional abuse. Sexual abuse can be physical, such as inappropriate fondling, touching and actual sexual penetration. It can also be emotionally abusive, as in cases where a child is forced to undress or exposing a child to adult sexuality. Aside from the physical damage that sexual abuse can cause, the emotional component is powerful and far reaching. The layer of shame that accompanies sexual abuse makes the behavior doubly traumatizing. While news stories of sexual predators are scary, what is even more frightening is that the adult who sexually abuses a child or adolescent is usually someone the child knows and is supposed to trust: a relative, childcare provider, family friend, neighbor, teacher, coach, or clergy member. Children may worry that others won’t believe them and will be angry with them if they tell. They may believe that the abuse is their fault, and the shame is devastating and can cause lifelong effects.

Signs of sexual child abuse
Behavioral signs. Does the child display knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior? A child might appear to avoid another person, or display unusual behavior- either being very aggressive or very passive. Older children might resort to destructive behaviors to take away the pain, such as alcohol or drug abuse, self-mutilation, or suicide attempts.
Physical signs. A child may have trouble sitting or standing, or have stained, bloody or torn underclothes. Swelling, bruises, or bleeding in the genital area is a red flag. An STD or pregnancy, especially under the age of 14, is a strong cause of concern.
Caregiver signs. The caregiver may seem to be unusually controlling and protective of the child, limiting contact with other children and adults. Again, as with other types of abuse, sometimes the caregiver does not give outward signs of concern. This does not mean the child is lying or exaggerating.
Sexual child abuse: The online risk
Children who use the Internet are also vulnerable to Internet predators. Among the warning signs of online sexual child abuse are these:

Your child spends large amounts of time online, especially at night, and may turn the computer monitor off or quickly change the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.
You find pornography on your child's computer.
Your child receives phone calls or mail from people you don't know, or makes calls to numbers that you don’t recognize.
Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.
Child neglect
Child neglect is the most frequent form of child abuse. Neglect is a pattern of failing to provide for a child's basic needs, endangering a child’s physical and psychological well-being. Child neglect is not always deliberate. Sometimes, a caregiver becomes physically or mentally unable to care for a child, such as in untreated depression or anxiety. Other times, alcohol or drug abuse may seriously impair judgment and the ability to keep a child safe. The end result, however, is a child who is not getting their physical and/or emotional needs met.

Warning signs of child neglect
Physical signs. A child may consistently be dressed inappropriately for the weather, or have ill-fitting, dirty clothes and shoes. They might appear to have consistently bad hygiene, like appearing very dirty, matted and unwashed hair, or noticeable body odor. Another warning sign is untreated illnesses and physical injuries.
Behavioral signs. Does the child seem to be unsupervised? Schoolchildren may be frequently late or tardy. The child might show troublesome, disruptive behavior or be withdrawn and passive.
Caregiver signs. Does the caregiver have problems with drugs or alcohol? While most of us have a little clutter in the home, is the caregiver’s home filthy and unsanitary? Is there adequate food in the house? A caregiver might also show reckless disregard for the child’s safety, letting older children play unsupervised or leaving a baby unattended. A caregiver might refuse or delay necessary health care for the child.
What to do if a child reports abuse
You may feel overwhelmed and confused if a child begins talking to you about abuse. It is a difficult subject and hard to accept, and you might not know what to say. The best help you can provide is calm, unconditional support and reassurance. Let your actions speak for you if you are having trouble finding the words. Remember that it is a tremendous act of courage for children to come forward about abuse. They might have been told specifically not to tell, and may even feel that the abuse is normal. They might feel they are to blame for the abuse. The child is looking to you to provide support and help- don’t let him or her down.

Avoid denial and remain calm. A common reaction to news as unpleasant and shocking as child abuse is denial. However, if you display denial to a child, or show shock or disgust at what they are saying, the child may be afraid to continue and will shut down. As hard as it may be, remain as calm and reassuring as you can.

Don’t interrogate. Let the child explain to you in his/her own words what happened, but don’t interrogate the child or ask leading questions. This may confuse and fluster the child and make it harder for them to continue their story.

Reassure the child that they did nothing wrong. It takes a lot for a child to come forward about abuse. Reassure him or her that you take what is said seriously, and that it is not the child’s fault.

Reporting child abuse and neglect
Reporting child abuse seems so official. Many people are reluctant to get involved in other families’ lives. However, by reporting, you can make a tremendous difference in the life of a child and the child’s family, especially if you help stop the abuse early. Early identification and treatment can help mitigate the long-term effects of abuse. If the abuse is stopped and the child receives competent treatment, the abused child can begin to regain a sense of self-confidence and trust. Some parents may also benefit from support, parent training and anger management.

Reporting child abuse: Myths and Facts
I don’t want to interfere in some one else’s family. The effects of child abuse are lifelong, affecting future relationships, self esteem, and sadly putting even more children at risk of abuse as the cycle continues. Help break the cycle of child abuse.
What if I break up someone’s home? The priority in child protective services is keeping children in the home. A child abuse report does not mean a child is automatically removed from the home - unless the child is clearly in danger. Support such as parenting classes, anger management or other resources may be offered first to parents if safe for the child.
They will know it was me who called. Reporting is anonymous. In most states, you do not have to give your name when you report child abuse. The child abuser cannot find out who made the report of child abuse.
It won’t make a difference what I have to say. If you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, it is better to be safe than sorry. Even if you don’t see the whole picture, others may have noticed as well, and a pattern can help identify child abuse that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks.
Child Abuse Hotlines: Where to call to get help or report abuse
If you suspect a child is in immediate danger contact law enforcement as soon as possible.

To get help in the U.S., call:
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) – Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

To get help for child sexual abuse, call:

1-888-PREVENT (1-888-773-8368) – Stop It Now

1-800-656-HOPE Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)


Child abuse prevention
Reducing the incidence of child abuse is a matter of intervention and education.

Intervention
In some cases, as in cases of extreme cruelty, sexual abuse, and severe alcohol and drug abuse, children are safer away from the caregiver. Not all abusive parents intend harm to their children, however. Some parents need help to realize that they are hurting their children, and can work on their problems. Some examples include:

Domestic violence. A mother might be trying to do her best to protect her children from an abusive husband, not realizing that the children are being emotionally abused even if they are not physically abused. Helping a mother leave an abusive relationship and getting supportive counseling can help stop these children from being abused.
Alcohol and drug abuse. Alcohol and drug abusers may be so focused on their addiction that they are hurting their children without realizing it. Getting appropriate help and support for alcohol and drug abuse can help parents focus back on their children.
Untreated mental illness. A depressed mother might not be able to respond to her own needs much less her children’s. A caregiver suffering from emotional trauma may be distant and withdrawn from her children, or quick to anger without understanding why. Treatment for the caregiver means better care for the children.
In some cases, you might be able to provide support for parents/caregivers who need help yourself. What if a parent or caregiver comes to you? The key is not to be self-righteous or judgmental, which can alienate caregivers, but offer support and concrete offers of help, such as helping them connect with community resources. If you feel that your safety or the safety of the child would be threatened if you try to intervene, leave it to the professionals. You may be able to provide more support later after the initial professional intervention.

Education
Some caregivers have not learned the skills necessary for good parenting. Teen parents, for example, might have unrealistic expectations about how much care babies need or why toddlers can be so prone to tantrums. Other times, previous societal and cultural expectations of good child raising may not be considered so today. In previous generations and in many cultures, for example, strict physical discipline was considered to be essential in teaching a child to behave. Education can greatly help caregivers who need information on raising children. Parenting classes can not only be effective for teen parents, but for parents who themselves were abused and need to learn new parenting patterns. Education on managing stress and building healthier relationships also helps caregivers.

Children need education as well to help protect against abuse. They need to know that abuse is never their fault and is never “OK”. Teaching a child about inappropriate touch and that they should never keep secrets that make them uncomfortable can help prevent sexual abuse.

For caregivers
Do you see yourself in some of these descriptions, painful as it may be? Do you feel angry and frustrated and don’t know where to turn? Caring for children can be very difficult. Don’t go it alone. Ask for help if you need it. If you don’t have a friend or family to turn to, call the child abuse hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD, yourself. The hotline is also designed to get you support and find resources in the community that can help you.

Ambient abuse is the stealth, subtle, underground currents of maltreatment that sometimes go unnoticed even by the victims themselves, until it is too late. Ambient abuse penetrates and permeates everything – but is difficult to pinpoint and identify. It is ambiguous, atmospheric, diffuse. Hence its insidious and pernicious effects. It is by far the most dangerous kind of abuse there is.

It is the outcome of fear – fear of violence, fear of the unknown, fear of the unpredictable, the capricious, and the arbitrary. It is perpetrated by dropping subtle hints, by disorienting, by constant – and unnecessary – lying, by persistent doubting and demeaning, and by inspiring an air of unmitigated gloom and doom ("gaslighting").

Ambient abuse, therefore, is the fostering, propagation, and enhancement of an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, instability, unpredictability and irritation. There are no acts of traceable explicit abuse, nor any manipulative settings of control. Yet, the irksome feeling remains, a disagreeable foreboding, a premonition, a bad omen.

In the long term, such an environment erodes the victim's sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Self-confidence is shaken badly. Often, the victim adopts a paranoid or schizoid stance and thus renders himself or herself exposed even more to criticism and judgment. The roles are thus reversed: the victim is considered mentally deranged and the abuser – the suffering soul.

There are five categories of ambient abuse and they are often combined in the conduct of a single abuser:

I. Inducing Disorientation

The abuser causes the victim to lose faith in her ability to manage and to cope with the world and its demands. She no longer trusts her senses, her skills, her strengths, her friends, her family, and the predictability and benevolence of her environment.

The abuser subverts the target's focus by disagreeing with her way of perceiving the world, her judgment, the facts of her existence, by criticizing her incessantly – and by offering plausible but specious alternatives. By constantly lying, he blurs the line between reality and nightmare.

By recurrently disapproving of her choices and actions – the abuser shreds the victim's self-confidence and shatters her self-esteem. By reacting disproportionately to the slightest "mistake" – he intimidates her to the point of paralysis.

II. Incapacitating

The abuser gradually and surreptitiously takes over functions and chores previously adequately and skilfully performed by the victim. The prey finds itself isolated from the outer world, a hostage to the goodwill – or, more often, ill-will – of her captor. She is crippled by his encroachment and by the inexorable dissolution of her boundaries and ends up totally dependent on her tormentor's whims and desires, plans and stratagems.

Moreover, the abuser engineers impossible, dangerous, unpredictable, unprecedented, or highly specific situations in which he is sorely needed. The abuser makes sure that his knowledge, his skills, his connections, or his traits are the only ones applicable and the most useful in the situations that he, himself, wrought. The abuser generates his own indispensability.

III. Shared Psychosis (folie a deux)

The abuser creates a fantasy world, inhabited by the victim and himself, and besieged by imaginary enemies. He allocates to the abused the role of defending this invented and unreal Universe. She must swear to secrecy, stand by her abuser no matter what, lie, fight, pretend, obfuscate and do whatever else it takes to preserve this oasis of inanity.

Her membership in the abuser's "kingdom" is cast as a privilege and a prize. But it is not to be taken for granted. She has to work hard to earn her continued affiliation. She is constantly being tested and evaluated. Inevitably, this interminable stress reduces the victim's resistance and her ability to "see straight".

IV. Abuse of Information

From the first moments of an encounter with another person, the abuser is on the prowl. He collects information. The more he knows about his potential victim – the better able he is to coerce, manipulate, charm, extort or convert it "to the cause". The abuser does not hesitate to misuse the information he gleans, regardless of its intimate nature or the circumstances in which he obtained it. This is a powerful tool in his armory.

V. Control by Proxy

If all else fails, the abuser recruits friends, colleagues, mates, family members, the authorities, institutions, neighbours, the media, teachers – in short, third parties – to do his bidding. He uses them to cajole, coerce, threaten, stalk, offer, retreat, tempt, convince, harass, communicate and otherwise manipulate his target. He controls these unaware instruments exactly as he plans to control his ultimate prey. He employs the same mechanisms and devices. And he dumps his props unceremoniously when the job is done.

Another form of control by proxy is to engineer situations in which abuse is inflicted upon another person. Such carefully crafted scenarios of embarrassment and humiliation provoke social sanctions (condemnation, opprobrium, or even physical punishment) against the victim. Society, or a social group become the instruments of the abuser.

Attachment Disorder
Attachment is all about building relationships. Humans need attachments with others for their psychological and emotional development as well as for their survival. Infants need to be physically close to the mother and be able to receive and give affection to form an enduring emotional bond. Children need to feel that they are safe, that they will not be abandoned, and that they are loved and valued.

The unique and exclusive relationship between a mother and child colors the person's relationships for rest of his or her life. If the relationship is close and secure, then the child learns to trust and love. If the relationship is emotionally distant and inconsistent, then the child learns not to trust or care and believes that one is all alone in the world.


The importance of an attachment relationship

between mother and child cannot be over-emphasized.


Attachment Issues

In every situation that children experienced their parent’s love being cut off (e.g., divorce, abandonment, abuse, neglect, death, imprisonment, or their love becoming conditional), the emotional bond was broken. Children then feel that they are unlovable, as if a part of them suffocated and died. Just as connectedness is our most basic need, isolation is our most injurious state.





The basic cause of a person's inability

to relate to himself/herself and others with love

is this childhood state of feeling unlovable

which persists into adulthood.

Attachment deficits occur in different forms. There's a common denominator, however: a lack of connectedness in the person's significant relationships. The detached person was not "met where he was" in some way.

At times this lack is blatant, such as the emotionally cold or hostile family. It's clear that here the need for constancy [in being and feeling connected] was not met.

Other times, it is more subtle, as in the superficially warm family that appears to be intimate. In this case, there's generally a withdrawal of the warmth when painful subjects are brought up. The developing child learns that she can be attached when she doesn't have needs or problems. But her hurts and fears go deep inside into an isolated place in the heart, where they may stay for a lifetime.

Since God created us for bonding, it's part of our very essence. . . We are created to bond in either a growth-producing or a death-producing manner. If we cannot bond to loving relationships, we will bond to something else that is not so loving. This is the root of the addictive process.


First, it requires finding safe, warm relationships in which emotional needs will be accepted and loved, not criticized and judged.

Second, repair requires taking risks with our needs.


These are genuine risks. . . . When those unattached parts of the self become connected to others, our ability to tolerate loss of love increases. The more we internalize, the less we need the world to approve of us constantly. This is a hallmark of maturity.

Free Sex Offender Report
Where do Sex Offenders live in Your Neighborhood? Find out in 60secs!
neighborhoodscan.com

Sex Offender Records
Access offender records for your area. Help protect your child today
www.registeredoffenderslist.org
Sex Offenders by Zip Code

Sex Offender Registry
Check to see if anyone is a sex offender. Criminal records, too!
www.publicbackgroundchecks.com

National Foster Care & Adoption Directory Search

http://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad/

State Statutes

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/

DID YOU KNOW?
*1 in every 3 girls will be sexually molested before the age of 18
*1 in every 6 boys will be sexually molested before the age of 18
*Every 10 SECONDS a child is abused, raped or killed in the U.S.
*Today up to 5 children will die from abuse or neglect
*In 10 seconds, another child will be abused in the U.S
*There were 2.9 million child abuse reports made in 1992
*Only 28% of the children identified as harmed by abuse are investigated
*85% of the 1.2 - 1.5 million runaways are fleeing abuse at home
*Today 6 children will commit suicide
*Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death (ages 15-24)
*Untreated child abuse increases the likelihood of arrest for a violence by 38%
*60 MILLION survivors are former victims of child sexual abuse in America today
*38% women & 20% men have been sexually abused
*It is estimated that 3% - 6% of the clergy population
has abused a child in their congregation
*The typical child sex offender molests
an average of 117 children
--most of whom do not report the offense

What is B.A.C.A?
BACA is a non-profit organization, (501c3) Bikers Against Child Abuse. Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. Oklahoma has several chapters.

State Line and Child Intake number: 1-877-422-2286

How B.A.C.A. Works
Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (B.A.C.A.) is organized with a central contact person to receive calls from referring agencies and individuals. A recognized, authorized agency with which the child has had contact determines that the child is still frightened by his or her environment. The agency representative contacts B.A.C.A., or refers the individual to contact B.A.C.A. and the name and address of the child is given to our B.A.C.A./Child Liaison. The Liaison determines that the case is legitimate, meaning that the authorities have been contacted, and the case in being processed within the system. The Liaison contacts the family and an initial ride is organized to meet the child at their home or in some other location. The entire B.A.C.A. chapter rides to meet the child and he/she is given a vest with a B.A.C.A. patch sewn on the back. The child is free to wear the vest or not, and we support their decision. The child is also given bumper stickers, and other gifts that are generally donated by the public. These initial visits generally last about a half an hour.

Following this initial contact, the child is given the name and number of two B.A.C.A. members residing geographically closest to them, who then become the child's primary contact person(s). Prior to becoming the primary contacts for the child, the bikers are cleared for participation by clearing an extensive background check, have ridden with the Chapter for at least a year, and have received special instructions from the Licensed Mental Health Professional. Anytime the child feels scared and feels the need for the presence of his new B.A.C.A. family, the child may call upon these bikers to go to the childs house and provide the necessary reassurance to feel safe and protected. B.A.C.A. members and supporters also support the children by: providing escorts for them if they feel scared in their neighborhoods; riding by their homes on a regular basis; supporting the children at court and parole hearings; attending their interviews, and; staying with the children if they are alone and frightened. BACA even goes so far as too escort the children to and from school and escort them to and from court if the child feels as though they may be endangered. This helps to put the child and family at ease and to also protect them in the event that someone was still trying to hurt them.The B.A.C.A. members never go to the childs house alone and never without the knowledge or permission of the parents. Our mission is not to be permanently engaged as the childs power. Our mission is to help the children and their families learn how powerful they can be. Our presence will be available as long as the child needs us. B.A.C.A. also holds other functions for the children such as Bar-B-Ques, and parties.

How can I join B.A.C.A.?
Anyone can join the BACA organization as long as you follow a few guidelines. These guidelines consist of having access to a motorcycle that does the speed limit, they must be able to pass a background check,-YOU WILL be fingerprinted, sent to the FBI, have no previous convictions for abuse or violent behavior towards a child, they must attend the monthly BACA meetings, attend court hearings, ride with the BACA chapter for one year to get the back patch, and attend other BACA events. Once they have done all of this, they are then presented to the Governing board of Directors and must anonymously be voted in.

It is an Honor to wear the B.A.C.A Patch!No Child Should Live In Fear

The Education and Training Voucher Program offers funds to foster youth and former foster youth to enable them to attend colleges, universities and vocational training institutions.

Every student is eligible for up to $5000 or the total cost of attendance as estimated by their college or technical school. The funds may be used for tuition, school supplies, a computer, and approved living expenses including rent, health care and child care. Students receiving funds prior to their 21st birthday may continue to receive support until age 23.

Visit OFA's State Voucher site to get a full slate of ETV offerings in various states across the country:

https://www.statevoucher.org/

Community Organizations
National CASA is proud to partner with a variety of other child welfare organizations. Together we can generate greater awareness for the needs of abused and neglected children

Child AbuseWatch.net
http://www.abusewatch.net/
America's Promise Alliance
http://www.americaspromise.org/APA.aspx
Casey Family Programs
http://www.casey.org/Home
Children's Defense Fund
http://www.childrensdefense.org/
Child Trends
http://www.childtrends.org/
Child Welfare League of America
http://www.cwla.org/
National Center for Children in Poverty
http://www.nccp.org/
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
http://www.ncjfcj.org/
National Foster Care Month Coalition
http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Pages/default.aspx
Children Without a Voice USA
http://www.childrenwithoutavoiceusa.org/cms/

http://www.nationalcasa.org/news_events/fc_overview.html






Forgotten Children Campaign - Volunteer Inquiry
CASA volunteers stand up for the rights and best interests of children who might otherwise be forgotten. As appointed representatives of the court, CASA volunteers, known in some areas as volunteer guardians ad litem (GALs), are empowered to make a lifelong difference in the lives of abused and neglected children.

Last year, more than 59,000 CASA and GAL volunteers advocated for 243,000 children—an impressive number yet just half of the children in the child welfare system at any given time. Our volunteers are an amazing force for good, but we need more of them. Our vision is that every child who needs a volunteer will have one. With your help, we can reach that goal.

Are you ready to stand up for a child who needs you? Inquire today about the power you have to change a child's life. http://www.nationalcasa.org/VolunteerInquiry/index.aspx

Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hot line
1 - 800 - 4 - A - CHILD
(1 - 800 - 422 - 4453)
TDD: 1-800-2-A-CHILD
Childhelp USA is a non-profit agency which can provide reporting numbers
and has Hot line counselors who can provide referrals.



State Hotlines

Alaska (AK)
(800) 478-4444

Arizona (AZ)
(888) SOS-CHILD
(888-767-2445)

Arkansas (AR)
(800) 482-5964

Connecticut (CT)
(800) 842-2288
(800) 624-5518 (TDD/Hearing Impaired)

Delaware (DE)
(800) 292-9582

Florida (FL)
(800) 96-ABUSE
(800-962-2873)

Illinois (IL)
(800) 252-2873

Indiana (IN)
(800) 800-5556

Iowa (IA)
(800) 362-2178

Kansas (KS)
(800) 922-5330

Kentucky (KY)
(800) 752-6200

Maine (ME)
(800) 452-1999

Maryland (MD)
(800) 332-6347

Massachusetts (MA)
(800) 792-5200

Michigan (MI)
(800) 942-4357

Mississippi (MS)
(800) 222-8000

Missouri (MO)
(800) 392-3738

Montana (MT)
(800) 332-6100

Nebraska (NE)
(800) 652-1999

Nevada (NV)
(800) 992-5757

New Hampshire (NH)
(800) 894-5533

New Jersey (NJ)
(800) 792-8610
(800) 835-5510 (TDD/Hearing Impaired)

New Mexico (NM)
(800) 797-3260

New York (NY)
(800) 342-3720

North Dakota (ND)
(800) 245-3736

Oklahoma (OK)
(800) 522-3511

Oregon (OR)
(800) 854-3508

Pennsylvania (PA)
(800) 932-0313

Rhode Island (RI)
(800) RI-CHILD
(800-742-4453)

Texas (TX)
(800) 252-5400

Utah (UT)
(800) 678-9399

Virginia (VA)
(800) 552-7096

Washington (WA)
(800) 562-5624

West Virginia (WV)
(800) 352-6513

Wyoming (WY)
(800) 457-3659

Remember: It is better to report in good faith than to stand back and do nothing at all.
You have the option to anonymously report suspected abuse.
Don't let your own fears prevent you from saving a child.
If you don't speak up for them, who will?

Need for Children's Rights

Children in the USA
Every day in America
3 young people under age 25 die from HIV infection.
6 children commit suicide.
13 children are homicide victims.
14 children are killed by firearms.
81 babies die.
280 children are arrested for violent crimes.
443 babies are born to mothers who had late or no prenatal care.
781 babies are born at low birth-weight.
1,403 babies are born to teen mothers.
1,827 babies are born without health insurance.
2,430 babies are born into poverty.
2,756 children drop out of high school every school day.
3,436 babies are born to unmarried mothers.
5,753 children are arrested.
8.470 children are reported abused or negleted.
11.3 million children are without health insurance.
14.5 million children live in poverty.



Where America Stands
Among industrialized countries, the United States ran
1st in gross domestic product
1st in the number of millionaires and billionaires
1st in health technology
1st in military technology
1st in military experts
1st in defense spending
10th in eighth-grade science scores
16th in living standards
17th in rates of low-birth-weight births
18th in the income gap between rich and poor children
18th in infant mortality
21st in eighth-grade math scores
Last in protecting our children against gun violence

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
U.S. children under age 15 are:
12 times more likely to die from gunfire,
16 times more likely to be murdered by a gun,
11 times more likely to commit suicide with a gun, and
9 times more likely to die in a firearm accident.
than children in 25 other industrialized countries combined.


Children's Defense Fund 1998 Priorities

Ensuring every -- not every other -- American child a Healthy Start in life. We seek to ensure effective state implementation of the recently enacted $48 billion State children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), to educate families about CHIP and Medicaid, and to enroll all eligible children.
Ensuring every child a Head Start in life by providing parents quality, affordable child care options for all preschool and school-age children, with the assistance of employers, community institutions, and federal, state, and local governments.
Ensuring every child a Fair Start in life by educating the public and policy makers about the unacceptable moral, human, and economic costs of permitting 14.5 million children to grow up poor and by mobilizing the nation to end child poverty as we know it. Jobs with decent wages, community economic development, and a quality education for every child must become overarching national priorities.
Ensuring every child a Safe Start in life by preventing violence against and by children. Every community must be safe from violent adult and youth offenders. But we oppose the growing criminalization of youths, especially minority youths, and the detention of nonviolent youth offenders and children who are truants and runaways in adult jails, a practice forbidden by current law. We support more effective community-based prevention and interventions like after-school and summer programs, mentoring, and parent training.
Ensuring every child a Moral Start in life through creative leadership development and community capacity building to ensure an intergenerational cadre of effective servant-leaders committed to building and sustaining a movement to Leave No Child Behind.



Five Questions All American Citizens Should Ask Ourselves and Our Political Leaders About National Priorities

1. Why is our nation continuing to spend $265 billion a year, $5.1 billion a week, $727 million a day, and $30 million an hour on "National Defense" in a post-Cold War era with no towering external enemies?
Our military budget exceeds the total military expenditures of the 12 next - largest spenders - including Russia, France, Great Britain, Germany, and China - combined. Congress gave the Pentagon $9 billion more than it requested in 1996, while cutting $54 billion from child nutrition programs for poor and legal immigrant children and families. The military plans to purchase three new tactical fighter systems that will cost $355 billion -- systems the US General Accounting Office says we don't need and can't afford -- at a time when millions of struggling parents left behind in the global economy need better-paying jobs and millions of children need health care, quality child care, education and housing.
Every 14 hours we spend more on the military than we do annually on programs to prevent and treat child abuse.
Every 29 hours we spend more on the military than we do annually on summer jobs for unemployed youths.
Every six days we spend more on military than we do annually on the Child Care and Development Block Grant for child care for low-income working parents.
Every 11 days we spend more on the military than we do annually on Title I compensatory education for disadvantaged children.

2. Why, with over 200 million guns in circulation already killing a child every hour and a half, does our country manufacture or import a new gun every eight seconds?
American children under age 15 are 12 times more likely to die from gunfire than children in 25 other industrialized nations combined. Virtually all violent youth crime is gun-driven...Why seek to protect guns rather than protect children from guns.
When the polio virus killed 2,700 children and adults in its peak year - 7 a day - we declared a national emergency. Why don't we declare a national emergency to stop the deadly gun virus that kills almost twice as many children - 5,285 a year, 14 a day - in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, and parks?

3. How much do we truly value children and families when we don't put our money and respect behind our words?
4. Why should every 66 year old in the United States be guaranteed health coverage and not every 6 year old or 16 year old?
5. Why is the United States, save Somalia (which lacks a legally constitued government to act), alone among nations in failing to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child?
(taken from the State of America's Children Yearbook 1998 (Washington DC: Children's Defense Fund)
Child Murders: Nearly 3/4 of all murders of children in the industrialized world occur in the United States of America.



Death Penalty for (Black) Kids: The United States is the world-leader in sentencing children to death. Since 1990, only Iran, Pakistan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and the USA are known to have executed persons for crimes they committed as children. Of these, the US has executed more juvenile offenders than any other nation. In the US 75% of all juvenile offenders executed this century were African American. 2/3s of all persons executed this decade for juvenile crimes were African American. There are currently nearly 60 persons on death row in the USA who were sentenced to death as juveniles. The USA remains the only industrialized country with the death penalty.


Militarism in Schools: "Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), a military run training program for high school students, is now found in more than 2,600 US schools. More than 330,000 students are enrolled in JROTC classes nationwide. Most JROTC programs are in big-city schools, in rural areas with below average college attendance rates.
As part of an academic curriculum, Junior ROTC falls short. The program brings retired military personnel into high school classrooms to teach a military curriculum. According to a federal regulation (32 Code of Federal Regulations 542.5:3c), the "educational" goal of the JROTC program is to "create favorable attitudes and impressions toward the Services and toward careers in the Armed Forces."

"The expansion of JROTC in high schools runs counter to the current national trend towards higher academic standards. College admission policies in states requiring a core curriculum for graduation indicate that students are not likely to receive credit for JROTC when they apply for college. JROTC may in fact divert students from taking the courses they need for college admission or skills for a career and a full, satisfying life."



Children Globally
Malnutrition. 'Over 200 million children in developing countries under the age of five are malnourished...Malnutrition contributes to more than half of the nearly 12 million under-five deaths in developing countries each year. Malnourished children often suffer the loss of precious mental capacities. They fall ill more often. If they survive, they may grow up with lasting mental or physical disabilities... It undermines the struggle of the United Nations for peace, equity and justice. It is an egregious violation of child rights that undermines virtually every aspect of UNICEF's work for the survival, protection and full development of the world's children...More attention is lavished on the gyrations of the world stock markets than on malnutrition's vast destructive potential -- or on the equally powerful benefits of sound nutrition.'



Child Labour. 'Intolerable forms of child labour are so grave an abuse of human rights that the world must come to regard them in the way it does slavery -- as something unjustifiable under any circumstances.'


Around 1 billion people -- one out of every six on the planet -- are between 10 and 19 years of age, 85% in developing countries. And they face profound obstacles:

Around the globe, 73 million children age 10 to 14 are working -- not counting the tens of millions, mostly girls, believed to be in domestic service.

In developing countries, 59 percent of girls and 48 percent of boys are not enrolled in secondary school.'



Children in war. 'Recent developments in warfare have significantly heightened the dangers for children. During the last decade, it is estimated...that child victims have included:
2 million killed;
4-5 million disabled;
12 million left homeless;
more than 1 million orphaned or separated from their parents;
some 10 million psychologically traumatized.
The increasing number of child victims is primarily explained by the higher porportion of civilian deaths in recent conflicts. In the wars of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, only about half of the victims were civilians.

In the later decades of this century the proportion of civilian victims has been rising steadily; in World War II it was two thirds, and the end of the 1980's it was almost 90 pecent...'

'When ethnic loyalties prevail, a perilous logic clicks in. The escalation from ethnic superiority to ethnic cleansing to genocide, as we have seen, can become an irreversible process. Killing adults is then not enough; future generations of the enemy -- their children must also be eliminated. As one political commentator expressed it in a 1994 radio broadcast before violence erupted in Rwanda, "To kill the big rats, you have to kill the little rats."...Sexual violence is particularly common in ethnic conflicts.'

'...One of the most deplorable developments in recent years has been the increasing use of young children as soldiers...Recently, in 25 countries, thousands of children under the age of 16 have fought in wars. In 1988 alone, they numbered as many as 200,000.'

Pedophiles and Other Bizarre Sexual Orientations Given Protection By Congress

April 29, 2009 –Andrea Lafferty, Executive Director of the Traditional Values Coalition released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the so-called hate crimes bill, H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act Of 2009. The vote was 249-175.

“The Anti-Christian Caucus of the U.S. House of Representativeshas acted today to lay the legal foundation and framework to investigate, prosecute and persecute pastors, youth pastors, Bible teachers, and anyone else whose Bible speech and thought is based upon and reflects the truths found in the Bible.

“A pastor’s sermon could be considered ‘hate speech’ under this legislation if heard by an individual who then acts aggressively against persons based on ‘sexual orientation.’ The pastor could be prosecuted for “conspiracy to commit a hate crime.”

“H.R. 1913 is the crown jewel of the LGBT lobby because it makes ‘sexual orientation,’ and ‘gender identity’ into federally protected classes under civil rights laws. These terms were not defined in the legislation – despite Republican efforts to get Democrats to define them in the bill.

“This Democrat-controlled Congress has now elevated pedophiles and other bizarre sexual orientations, as well as drag queens, transgenders, lesbians and gay men to the level of protection of that already given to African Americans, Hispanics and other minorities in the law.” Here are the facts:

* In a nation of 300 million, there is no nationwide epidemic of hate against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. FBI hate crime statistics for 2007 prove this. According to FBI data, there were 16,929 murders in the U.S. in 2007. Of that number, 9 murders were classified as “hate crimes”. There were only 242 cases of actual bodily harm (aggravated assault) out of 855,856 nationally. This is no “epidemic” of hate against lesbians, gays, bisexuals or transgendered persons.




* Provides federal protection for "sexual orientation," and "gender identity," either “actual” or “perceived.” None of these terms are defined in the legislation.

* Sexual orientation is defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The APA definition includes 30 mostly bizarre sexual behaviors--including pedophilia.

* Ensures that crimes against a transgender, drag queen, gay man or lesbian are treated more harshly than a sexual assault on a child. Under this measure, pedophiles are a protected class. As a result, if a parent assaults a pedophile for molesting a child, the parent can be convicted of a hate crime and receive an enhanced sentence.


This bill is now before the Senate having been passed by Congress.Please call or email your Senators to stop this bill from passing