Child Abuse Prevention Healing Field     The first application of a Healing Field as a source of raising awareness and funds for the prevention of child abuse was introduced in Dallas, Texas in July of 2004 at the National Exchange Club 86th annual convention.    Members of the Exchange Club and community volunteers set up 1400 US flags on a grassy hill by Dallas City Hall.  Each flag represented a child who died at the hands of an abuser in 2003.  An additional 14 flags were set up with blue and pink ribbons that included the first names and ages of each Dallas County victims.   The event was a huge success in the national efforts to raise awareness for the prevention of child abuse.  Counselors and Child Abuse Prevention Center staff members were on hand during the 3 day event to hand out literature, answer questions and speak to the many media representatives who showed up to cover the incredible visual display.   Record media coverage was received that exceeded any previous convention coverage and any other attempt to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention.    Now part of the official Healing Field suggested applications, Child Abuse Prevention Healing Fields are being supported by caring business in communities around the nation.  April is National Child Abuse Prevention month and event registrations are coming in weekly to the National Healing Field Foundation from cites who want to make a difference and save a child’s life. For 25 years the National Exchange Club has been working to prevent the tragedy of child abuse in America. Now Healing Field together with the National Exchange club is introducing a new program to bring awareness of child abuse to the American people. This is not only a way to show awareness, but in selling the flags to those who visit the field, the proceeds go towards the prevention of child abuse.  Listed below are a few facts about child abuse that most people do not know and can be used as signs to place around the Healing Field to help your organization bring awareness to child abuse.   �         Each day in the United States more than 3 children die as a result of child abuse in the home. �         More children (age four and younger) die from child abuse and neglect than any other single, leading cause of death for infants and young children. �         Child abuse is reported--on average-- every 10 seconds. �         Nationally, an estimated 903,000 children are victims of abuse and neglect. �         Nationally, an estimated 275,000 children were placed in foster care as a result of child abuse investigations or assessments. �         Children under the age of one accounted for 41% of child fatalities due to neglect. �         85% of child abuse fatalities are younger than 6 years of age. �         Childhood abuse and neglect increases the odds of arrest as a juvenile by 59%, as an adult by 28% and arrest for a violent crime by 30%. �         Nine in 10 Americans polled regard child abuse as a serious problem, yet only 1 in 3 reported abuse when confronted with an actual situation. �         Child Abuse is 100% preventable. �         1400 children died of child abuse in the United States in the year 2003. �         Of all child abuse investigations in 2001 63% was neglect, 19% was physical abuse, 10% was sexual abuse and 8% was emotional abuse. �         The longer the abuse continues, the more serious the injury to the child becomes and the more difficult it is to eliminate the abusive behavior.       �This is terrorism in our own homes of the most innocent of victims. Anyone who claims to be an American is responsible for American�s Kids.�   Child abuse does not recognize region, race, creed, socio-economic status or gender.

Last Updated Tuesday, October 14 2008 @ 04:39 AM GMT-7