Miss America 2013 Joins National Children’s Alliance in Support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan supports child abuse prevention and awareness as part of her national platform

National Children’s Alliance
Washington, D.C.

In conjunction with the month of April recognized around the country as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Children’s Alliance announces support from Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan. As part of her platform to raise awareness of child sexual abuse prevention, Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan will join National Children’s Alliance on Capitol Hill Thursday, April 25, 2013, meeting with individual members of Congress and participating in a panel discussion with child abuse prevention experts. The goal of these events is to increase awareness of the pervasive issue of child abuse, and educate policy makers on best practices for responding to the nationwide need for abuse prevention efforts.

In America, nearly five children die every day from abuse and neglect.  Even more frightening, every thirteen seconds, a child is abused. The impact of this abuse is felt not only by the victims and their families, but also in the communities in which they live. Together, National Children’s Alliance and Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan, along with advocates across the country, are calling on local communities and governments to speak up for these victims and act on their behalf to prevent further tragedy.

Since 1983, a Presidential Proclamation has been issued declaring the month of April National Child Abuse Prevention in the United States; this proclamation has helped to elevate the issue of child abuse around the country.

Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of National Children’s Alliance, stated, “We are very excited to have Miss America 2013 join our efforts, and hope her support will help elevate the issue of child abuse prevention on a national scale. Her personal connection to this issue is inspiring, and we are grateful she has chosen this important issue as a primary focus for her personal platform as she serves in this role.”

Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan stated, “Child Abuse is something that has deeply affected many members of my family. I am honored to join the National Children’s Alliance in an effort to inform our representatives of the many facets of abuse and the ways we, as a society, can create lasting change through prevention and advocacy. I look forward to continuing this conversation on Capitol Hill and encouraging our law makers to become more invested in the well-being of the children across our nation.”

For more information about National Children’s Alliance and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, visit www.nationalchildrensalliance.org.

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National Children’s Alliance is the national association and accrediting body for the over 750 children’s advocacy centers serving each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first, National Children’s Alliance provides support and advocacy to its accredited membership, as well as numerous developing centers, multidisciplinary teams and child abuse professionals around the country, and the world. As the national authority on multidisciplinary approaches to supporting child victims of abuse, the purpose of National Children’s Alliance is to empower local communities to provide comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse. Founded in 1998, National Children’s Alliance provides accreditation opportunities, financial assistance, training, technical assistance, research and education to communities, child abuse professionals and children’s advocacy centers throughout the United States in support of child abuse intervention, advocacy and prevention.