Childhelp is a child advocacy organization founded in 1976 by two Hollywood actresses, Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, in an effort to shed light on the epidemic of child abuse in the United States. Today, the organization aims to meet the needs of abused and/or neglected children through prevention, intervention, treatment, and community outreach. Part of that outreach includes Childhelp’s success in obtaining President Jimmy Carter’s 1979 designation of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and a 2020 Congressional resolution designating every first Wednesday of April Childhelp National Day of Hope.
Child Abuse Statistics in the United States
According to Childhelp, more than 3.6 million referrals are made annually to child protection agencies nationwide involving more than 6.6 million children. The United States is among the worst of industrialized nations, losing between four and seven children every day to child abuse and neglect. In 2014, state agencies identified approximately 1,580 children who died as a result of abuse and neglect. Additional studies revealed that those numbers were likely underreported by some state agencies by up to 50% or more.
In cases where a child receives help and outlives or is able to escape their abuser, their suffering often lasts long into adulthood and even the remainder of their lives. Medical conditions like Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Liver Disease are all tied to child abuse. Child abuse victims are also at risk for mental health disorders and addiction issues, including;
- Intimate partner violence;
- Alcoholism;
- Drug use and addiction;
- Depression; and
- Suicide.
In one study, 80% of 21-year-olds with a history of child abuse met the criteria for at least one psychological disorder.
Messa & Associates Supports Children
In both our legal work and our community outreach, Messa & Associates consistently represents the interests and needs of children. As lawyers, we have secured numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of children who were harmed by medical negligence, neglect at daycare, in motor vehicle accidents, by defective products, and more. We also bring claims on behalf of children who have endured sexual abuse and assault.
Messa & Associates supports the children in our community through annual donations to organizations like Big Brother, Big Sister, The Boys & Girls Club, and Toys for Tots. We also host an annual school supply giveaway and adopt a family in need during the holidays through the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program.
Our commitment to the wellbeing of the youngest members of our community is an integral part of our identity as a law firm and we urge everyone to publicly recognize the Childhelp National Day of Hope this year.
How to Observe Childhelp National Day of Hope
If you would like to publicly observe the Childhelp National Day of Hope but don’t know where to start, consider the following;
- Make a donation to Childhelp and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
- Burn a 5-wick candle (or 5 single wick candles) and observe a 5-minute silence, representing the approximately 5 children who die each day in the US as a result of child abuse.
- Report child abuse that you know about to the proper authorities.
- Share this post with your friends on social media to bring awareness to both the problem of child abuse in the US and the solutions that Childhelp provides.
- Use the hashtag #ChildhelpNationalDayOfHope
Attorneys for Children in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York
The attorneys at Messa & Associates have vast experience representing the needs of injured children in and out of court. Our firm has secured more than $100 million in recoveries for children permanently injured by negligence, neglect, abuse, assault, and more. If you know a child who is suffering physical or emotional injuries as the result of abuse, assault, neglect, or other forms of negligence, please contact an attorney at Messa & Associates. You can call us directly at 877-637-7252 for a free consultation, or submit an online inquiry for a free case evaluation. Don’t wait – when it comes to our children, every moment counts.
