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Communities Nationwide Will Fly Children's Memorial Flag on April 28 To Support Child Abuse Prevention
For more information, contact
Joyce Johnson
Phone: 804/492-4519
Cell: 703/980-7641
E-mail: jjohnson@cwla.org
March 27, 2006, Washington, DC -- CWLA launched the Children's Memorial Flag Campaign in 1998 to draw public awareness to the problem of nearly 3 million children reported abused and neglected each year. The campaign's centerpiece is the Children's Memorial Flag. The banner, designed by a 16-year-old California youth, depicts five doll-like figures of children standing side-by-side, holding hands against a red backdrop. A sixth child in the center is represented by a thin, white chalk outline, symbolizing a child lost to violence.
In 2001, a Congressional bill designated the fourth Friday in April National Children's Memorial Flag Day. On this day, local leaders, lawmakers, law enforcement, educators, organizations, families, and individuals fly the flag and conduct ceremonies and related activities to memorialize children and advocate ending violence. This year, many organizations and communities will fly the flag on April 28 as well as throughout April to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month.
"Americans across all walks of life should commit themselves to solving the problem of abuse and neglect, and to standing up on behalf of child victims," says Bilchik. "We must realize that violence against children is not an isolated issue, but is one that requires the same level of awareness, commitment to prevention, and treatment the nation demonstrates for other types of crimes."
The United States leads the world in homicides against children and youth under age 15, accounting for 73% of all homicides and 54% of all suicides of children, birth to age 15, among the world's top 26 industrialized countries. In 2002 alone, 1,390 children died as a result of abuse or neglect in the United States.
To locate organizations and communities participating in Flag Day activities visit www.cwla.org/advocacy/memorialflag.htm. Numerous promotional materials for Children's Memorial Flag Day are available to the public at www.cwla.org/advocacy/memorialflag.htm, including the sale of Children's Memorial Flags, bumper stickers, magnets, and lapel pins, as well as downloadable images of the flag and press materials. More information about Child
Abuse Prevention Month is also located at this site, including a list of ten things you can do to support Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Child Welfare League of America is the nation's oldest and largest membership-based child welfare organization. It is committed to engaging people everywhere in promoting the well-being of children, youth, and their families, and protecting every child from harm.
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