WELLNESS & WELL-BEING
National Child Abuse
Prevention Month
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90
n 2012, state and local Child Protective Services in the United
States received an estimated 3.4 million referrals of children
being abused or neglected.
CPS estimated that 686,000 children were victims of
maltreatment, which included 78 percent who were victims
of neglect; 18 percent suffered physical abuse; 9 percent were sexually
abused; and 11 percent were victims of other types of ill treatment,
including emotional and threatened abuse, parent’s drug or alcohol
abuse, or lack of supervision.
April is the nationally recognized month for increasing awareness
of this important problem. Following is a list of organizations that can
help in many ways, from supporting families to prevention programs,
parenting, crisis intervention and education. • Saint Louis Crisis Nursery is committed to the prevention of child
abuse and neglect, and provides emergency intervention, respite care
and support to families in crisis. Centene Center, 1928 Gravois Road,
St. Louis, MO 63104 (314) 338-2200, crisisnurserykids.com, 24-hour
helpline (314) 768-3201
• Epworth Children and Family Services helps youth and families
overcome emotional and behavioral challenges caused by abuse or
neglect. 6816 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63130 (314) 727-6294,
epworth.org
• Voices for Children’s team of child advocacy attorneys, social
workers and court-appointed special advocates work on behalf of St.
Louis’ abused and neglected children and youth. 920 N. Vandeventer
Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108 (314) 552-2352, voices-stl.org
• Child Protection Program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital provides
inpatient child abuse consultations, referrals, care coordination and
education. One Children’s Place, St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 454-2879,
stlouischildrens.org
• Childhelp is a national nonprofit dedicated to meeting the needs of
abused, neglected and at-risk children. The hotline is staffed 24/7.
(800) 422-4453, childhelp.org/pages/hotline-home
• Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St Louis provides
trauma-focused services to youth, families and the
community. University of Missouri-St. Louis, One University
Blvd., Weinman Building, St. Louis, MO 63121 (314) 516-
6798, stlouiscac.org CHILD ABUSE HOTLINES:
GAZELLE
Child abuse or neglect can be reported 24/7.
MISSOURI: Missouri Children’s Division Child Abuse and Neglect
Hotline Unit. If calling from Missouri - (800) 392-3738, calling from outside
Missouri - (573) 751-3448, text telephone – (800) 669-8689, dss.mo.gov/cd/
can.htm
ILLINOIS: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child
Abuse Hotline. (800) 252-2873, state.il.us/dcfs/child/index.shtml