R 171316Z MAR 15
MARADMIN 133/15
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF//
SUBJ/NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH//
POC/K. RAWLINGS/CIV/UNIT: MFC/-/TEL: 703-432-9087//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  FOR THIRTY-TWO YEARS, APRIL HAS BEEN DECLARED AS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. AS A RESULT, CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AWARENESS ACTIVITIES ARE PROMOTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE THEME FOR 2015 IS "CHILDREN DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED.” KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS. HELP STOP CHILD ABUSE BEFORE IT STARTS. CHILD SAFETY AND WELL-BEING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY. HAVE THE COURAGE TO SPEAK UP; IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK. NO CHILD DESERVES ABUSE OR NEGLECT. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A CHILD, REACH OUT TO SUPPORT THE PARENTS OR CONNECT THEM WITH HELPING RESOURCES. IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD IS IN DANGER, REPORT YOUR SUSPICIONS; DOING SO MAY PROTECT THE CHILD AND CONNECT THE FAMILY WITH NEEDED HELP AND SUPPORT.
2. LEADERS ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING IT CLEAR THAT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CAN BE PREVENTED AND HELPING RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE. IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD IS AT RISK OR HAS BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED, REPORT YOUR SUSPICIONS IMMEDIATELY TO THE FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM (FAP), LOCAL CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES OR YOUR LOCAL 911 WHEN OTHER SERVICES ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
3. INSTALLATIONS AND COMMUNITIES OFFER MANY RESOURCES TO ADDRESS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT INCLUDING: FAP, COMMUNITY COUNSELING PROGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CHILD SAFETY HOTLINE AT 877-790-1197, MARINE CORPS DSTRESS LINE AT 877-476-7734 AND MILITARY ONESOURCE (WWW.MILITARYONESOURCE.COM, 1-800-342-9647). THESE RESOURCES PROVIDE AMPLE SUPPORT SPECIFIC TO CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND TEENS AND CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION COVERING VARIOUS TOPICS INCLUDING CHILD CARE RESOURCES, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, CHILD DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES, PARENTING, FAMILY, AND STRESS MANAGEMENT.
4. CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO THE MONTH OF APRIL. KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY AT ALL TIMES. CHILDREN WHO ARE LOVED AND NURTURED TODAY BECOME TOMORROW'S HEALTHY ADULTS. TOGETHER, WE CAN STOP CHILD ABUSE BEFORE IT STARTS.
5. THIS MARADMIN IS APPLICABLE TO THE MARINE CORPS AND THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE AND WILL EXPIRE ONE YEAR FROM DATE PUBLISHED.
6. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY BGEN R. A. C. SANBORN, DIRECTOR, MARINE AND FAMILY PROGRAMS DIVISION.//