Houston recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and on Friday several Houston organizations came together to bring awareness to the continuing problem in the country.

On Friday, Harris County Sheriff’s Office said child abuse is a high priority here in Houston. 

“Just about every week our prosecutors are going to trial out of our child abuse division and seeking justice for child survivors and their families,” said Harris County District Attorney, Devon Anderson

It is a heartbreaking fact that most cities in the country face. Anderson said this week alone Harris county has three jury trials going on in the courthouse that involved child abuse.

“It is so critical that we get these cases right because of the long term affects abuse can have on a survivor,” she said.

That is why Friday and all of April the Children’s Assessment Center is teaming up with Crime Stoppers and Houston law enforcement to educate the public on how to recognize abuse and neglect, and help those in need.

“With every number, think about the child in that situation, the child that is being abused, the child that goes to sleep hungry, the child that is getting burned or sexually assaulted,” said Rania Mankarious, the Executive Director of Crime Stoppers.

The most recent studies by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that over six-hundrd-thousand children were victims of child abuse or neglect; and over fifteen-hundred children died as a result of abuse. Mankarious  said Harris County is actively looking for 12 child abuse criminals that you can find at http://www.crime-stoppers.org/crime/

Throughout the month of April there will be free Keeping Children Safe Trainings open to the public.