National Childhelp Day of Hope 2023: National Childhelp Day of Hope is observed annually on the first Wednesday of April, which falls on April 5 this year. It seeks to raise awareness and draw attention to the issue of child abuse and neglect. On the holiday, volunteers and advocates meet with members of Congress to inform them of the importance of child abuse and neglect legislation. Continue reading to find out more.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHILDHELP DAY OF HOPE
Childhelp, founded in 1959 by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, is the oldest and largest non-profit organisation in the United States. It is committed to the treatment and prevention of child abuse. Childhelp operates the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline — the only national helpline for child abuse and neglect — and provides treatment programmes nationwide for victims of abuse. The organisation was founded as International Orphans after O’Meara and Fedderson assumed responsibility for 11 Japanese-American orphans they met in Japan while on a government-sponsored goodwill tour. They returned to the United States to raise funds for the cause, and in 1961, International Orphans constructed two large orphanages for Asian American children in the Tokyo area.
In 1976, O’Meara and Fedderson launched the “Children’s Village U.S.A.” campaign, which protected severely abused children and provided them with treatment and therapy. Together with President Jimmy Carter, O’Meara and Fedderson established April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1979. Later, in 1983, the name of Children’s Village U.S.A. was changed to Childhelp U.S.A., and Childhelp International was established to conduct international activities.
Children’s Village United States of America established the first national toll-free hotline: 4-A-Child (1-800). It continues to operate around-the-clock, seven days a week. Professional crisis counsellors offer a variety of support resources via the hotline. In 2000, the Congress designated the first Wednesday of April as National Childhelp Day of Hope. On the holiday, people across the country pause to say a prayer and observe a moment of silence in honour and remembrance of abused and neglected children.
How To Observe National Child Assistance and Hope Day
Observe a brief period of silence
Spend some time praying and observing a moment of silence. Do this to honour the memory of the abused and neglected children.
Give money to Childhelp
Give Childhelp either money or your time. Any amount will be useful.
Participate in one of Childhelp’s charity events.
Attend one of the fundraising events that Childhelp has organised. If you are unable to find a local event, attend a fundraising event the following year.
5 FACTS ABOUT PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE
Child abuse is prevalent.
In the past year, at least one in seven children in the United States experienced child abuse or neglect.
Children with special needs are at greater risk
Children with special needs are more susceptible to neglect and abuse.
Certain factors prevent child maltreatment
Supportive family environments and social networks, parental employment, adequate housing, and access to healthcare and social services are among the protective factors.
Child abuse is connected to other forms of abuse.
Abuse of spouses and other vulnerable adults is frequently linked to child abuse.
Child Abuse is also psychological
Abuse can take emotional, mental, and physical forms.
WHY NATIONAL DAY OF HOPE FOR CHILDREN IS IMPORTANT
It seeks to end child abuse.
The purpose of this day is to eliminate child abuse and neglect worldwide. It serves as a reminder to contribute to organisations that protect children and raise awareness of child abuse.
It benefits children.
The purpose of National Childhelp Day of Hope is to assist children who cannot assist themselves. It aims to safeguard children from violence, neglect, and abuse.
It raises consciousness
Abuse and neglect of children are uncomfortable topics to discuss. National Childhelp Day of Hope forces us to recognise this reality and encourages us to act.
NATIONAL CHILDHELP DAY OF HOPE DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | April 6 | Wednesday |
| 2023 | April 5 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 3 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | April 2 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | April 1 | Wednesday |
