National Experts Call for a New Approach to End Child Abuse and Neglect

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A national panel of experts called today for a new approach to end child abuse and neglect at an event sponsored by The National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect (EndCAN) and Research!America. EndCAN, a Colorado-based foundation started this year with the goal of eliminating child abuse and neglect within our lifetime, also announced today a grant of $500,000 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help kick of the group's national effort.

EndCAN is focused on increasing the conversation around child abuse, as well as promoting the research, training and prevention necessary to eradicate this problem. To help raise awareness of this new approach to ending abuse, EndCAN has launched #GiveFive, a nationwide campaign that also brings attention to the five children who die each day from abuse and neglect.

"We are launching #GiveFive not just to raise awareness of this crisis, but to also give voice to the millions of Americans impacted by child abuse and neglect and the stigma that many victims carry," said Lori Poland, co-founder and executive director of EndCAN.

EndCAN is asking the public to share a picture of their raised hand on social media using #GiveFive, and encouraging five of their friends to do the same by tagging them in posts. More information on the campaign, including a gallery of social media posts, is available at https://www.endcan.org/give-five/.

"We all play a role in strengthening families and in furthering the national conversation on how to eliminate this terrible public health problem," said Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. "We are proud to support #GiveFive and help kick off this valuable campaign."  

Today's panel of experts discussed details on how changing the perception of child abuse from just a social and legal problem to a health, mental health and public health issue will lead to advancements in treatment and prevention. Panelists included:

• Christina Bethell, professor, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
• Dr. Howard Dubowitz, professor of pediatrics and director of the Center for Families, University of Maryland School of Medicine
• Marva Hammons, executive vice president of child and family services, Casey Family Programs
• Valerie Maholmes, chief of the pediatric trauma and critical illness branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
• Dr. Richard D. Krugman, co-founder, National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect
• Lori Poland, kidnapping survivor and co-founder, National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect
• Mary Woolley, president, Research!America

About EndCAN
EndCAN is a 501(c)(3) fundraising and grantmaking organization founded in 2018 by professionals who have dedicated their lives to helping others. EndCAN is committed to collaborating with national agencies and organizations working tirelessly to combat abuse and neglect. www.Endcan.org

Contact: Amy Fletcher Faircloth
(720) 460-0276
[email protected]

SOURCE National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect