PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT :
CHILDHELP NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE
NOTE FROM THE CDO by Michael Medoro , Chief Development Officer
Childhelp ’ s fiscal year ended June 30 , 2017 , and generous supporters like you helped make it one of our strongest years yet for individual giving .
When you consider all Childhelp does — from prevention , intervention , and treatment programs to nationwide community outreach — it ’ s important to remember that your annual contributions fund real progress in the war against child abuse and neglect .
This year , we celebrate 35 years of the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline . It ’ s a lifesaving resource that costs about $ 10 per call to help children across the U . S . and Canada . Annual donors provide most of these funds , sustaining a 24 / 7 service that helps prevent countless cases of child abuse and neglect .
Today , in honor of this milestone , I ’ m encouraging you to use the enclosed reply form and envelope to make a gift that will help secure this resource for the next 35 years .
As we begin our new fiscal year , I hope you will make this the year that you have an even greater positive impact on the children we serve — and those who still need our help . Thank you for your generosity , and we look forward to hearing from you ! -MM
In our country , there is a report of child abuse every 10 seconds and nearly 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made annually . Five children die each day from abuse and neglect — and that ’ s five too many .
Child abuse statistics only scratch the surface of this epidemic . Across the U . S ., reports of abuse and neglect often go unchecked simply because an abused child or someone who witnesses or suspects abuse don ’ t know there ’ s a resource available to help . In some cases , they may call a hotline and experience long wait times when they ’ re in crisis . Or worse yet , someone takes their call but there are not enough case workers in “ the system ” to process a report .
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline , 1-800-4-A-CHILD , is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse . Serving the U . S . and Canada , the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day , seven days a week , and is designed to answer the call for help every time .
Since the hotline ’ s launch in 1982 , Childhelp has answered more than 2.4 million calls and text messages . The professional crisis counselors who staff the hotline can provide assistance in more than 175 languages , offering confidential crisis intervention , information , literature , and referrals .
“ We are entirely unique in that we ’ re the only national hotline whose sole focus is child abuse .... We ’ re also staffed by master ’ s level professional counselors and social workers , so we have an extremely high level of expertise on the hotline , 24 / 7 . But most important , we provide a crucial service by empowering individuals with the information they need to help stop ongoing abuse or prevent it from ever occurring in the first place .”
Suzy P .* Counselor , Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Every call or text message received by hotline counselors is different . In some cases , they are helping first-time callers . In others , an abused child or concerned loved one might feel the need to call back several times before they are comfortable enough to ask for help .
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline receives hundreds of calls each day from children . But hotline callers aren ’ t always kids . Counselors frequently speak with law enforcement professionals , teachers , medical professionals , neighbors , and loved ones who believe they may know a child experiencing abuse , bullying or neglect .
Over the past year , more than 100,000 calls have been answered at the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline . Some were from individuals looking for information and resources . Other callers were directly experiencing abuse or knew of abuse that was occurring . Many calls were made in crisis .
Because of Childhelp donors like you , hotline counselors can be ready 24 / 7 to help identify what the issues are , help design a plan of action with clear steps to take , and give callers resource referrals specific to their location .
Together , we make sure the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is there to answer the call for every child in need .
* Name changed to protect confidentiality
CHILDHELP NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE 1-800-4-A-CHILD • CELEBRATING 35 YEARS