The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously declared April 2011 Child Abuse Prevention Month at their weekly board meeting on April 7.
The Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon (CTFO) and Commissioner Deborah Kafoury brought forward the proclamation to raise awareness about child abuse in Multnomah County and to encourage communities to support children and families.
In 2010 the Oregon Department of Human Services documented 11,188 victims of child abuse or neglect in the state and 2,167 in Multnomah County.
Over 48 percent of the victims were under six years old. Twenty-two children died from causes related to abuse or neglect from a family member or caregiver last year in Oregon.
The board of commissioners found that this abuse most often occurs when people find themselves in stressful situations, without community resources and don’t know how to cope.
Furthermore, the the majority of child abuse cases stem from situations and conditions that are preventable in an engaged and supportive community.
The Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon funds and monitors community-based programs that work to prevent child abuse through education and advocacy. For more information, visit www.ctfo.org.