The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast MO

Call our services:
636-332-0545 (Wentzville) | 573-221-2256 (Hannibal)
CALL OUR SERVICES: 636-332-0545 (Wentzville) | 573-221-2256 (Hannibal)

Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

The pinwheel has become the national symbol for child abuse prevention. Why? Because by its very nature, the pinwheel connotes playfulness, joy, and childhood. It has come to serve as a physical reminder of the great childhoods we want for all children.

Join us in raising awareness and giving caregivers the tools to protect children from abuse. Here’s how you can get involved.

Prevention Summit

Tuesday, March 28, 2023  |  6:30PM
St. Charles County Library Spencer Branch

Join The Child Advocacy Center as we kick off Child Abuse Prevention
Month by learning more about preventing child sexual abuse.
Our Prevention Education Specialists will be presenting on the following
topics:

  • How predators gain trust and how to respond if your child discloses
  • Keeping kids safe online

Childcare will be provided (children must be registered).
Ages 4-9 will have activities and ages 10-15 will have an intentional lesson
on navigating growing up in the digital age.

Pinwheel Ceremony

Friday, April 5, 2023  |  9AM
The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri
989 Heritage Pkwy Wentzville, MO 63385

Community members are invited to come by our Wentzville office to “plant” a pinwheel in our pinwheel garden and take a photo to raise awareness about child abuse. 

Who should attend: Civic leaders, multidisciplinary team, and community members

FAMILY FUN DAY

Saturday, April 2, 2023  |  10AM
Main Street Elementary – Troy, MO

Join us for a FREE Family Fun Day to celebrate happy, healthy childhoods! 

  • Activities for kids
  • Food and drink for purchase
  • Sidewalk Chalk Challenges for all ages (sidewalk chalk will be provided)
  • Resources and prevention tips for parents and caregivers
...

Join us for a prevention education program

Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse  |  Special Needs
April 6, 2023  |  6PM  |  Zoom 

Sign Up

Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse
April 13, 2023  |  6PM  |  Zoom

Sign Up

Mandated Reporter Training

April 20, 2023  |  6PM  |  Zoom 

Sign Up

Preventing Predators in the Workplace

April 26, 2023  |  6PM  |  Zoom 

Sign Up

Keep Your Kids Safe Online

April 27, 2023  |  6PM  |  Zoom 

Sign Up

The Facts

22,308Children received Prevention Education in 2020
The largest age group we saw for forensic interviews in 2020 was 7-11 years old.
In 2020, 55.4% of our forensic interviews were female, 44.4% were male, .2% were undisclosed.
In 2020 926 Children interviewed about alleged abuse​
In 2020 2,689 Adults received Prevention Education
90% of child sexual abuse is by someone the child likes, loves, or lives with.
1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls will be sexually abused before they turn 18.
Nearly 700,000 children are abused in the U.S. each year.
Children 3 years old and younger have the highest maltreatment rate.
Only 5% to 16% of child sexual abuse victims report and false allegations are rare
Sex offenders are 3.5x more likely to confess if a child has had a forensic interview at a child advocacy center

Prevention Tips for Parents

  • Knowing correct names for private body parts gives children the language to tell.
  • Tell children no one should look at or touch their private body parts unless they are asking for help or if they are hurt.
  • Let your child know it’s ok to say “no” to anyone if they are making them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
  • Be involved. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of other adults caring for your child.
  • Establish a “No Secrets” rule with your child and anyone who cares for your child. (Explain “secrets” versus “surprises”)
  • Talk to your child every day and take time to really listen and observe.