Last week, we wrapped up an event at our nation’s Capitol and a two-day Summit—both devoted to reducing child maltreatment deaths. The official count of children who die annually from abuse and neglect stands at about 2,000. Experts say the real number may be as much as 50 percent higher.

Serving as a catalyst for both events was the release of our report, “We Can Do Better: Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths in the U.S.”

»Learn more about the report and download a copy here. 

Rally for Change

The event at the Capitol on October 21st received great media attention, with 328 television airings reaching 14 million people and additional print media reaching millions more across the nation. In addition to our partners, we were joined there by Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. from Pennsylvania; Representative Patrick J. Kennedy from Rhode Island; renowned pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton, MD; and Law & Order: SVU stars Tamara Tunie and B.D. Wong—all true friends of children. To see an archive of news hits, click here. Otherwise, here’s a great Fox news clip about the rally for your review:

Panelists talked about:

• The undercount of child deaths referred to above—why it happens and how correct data could be furthering everyone’s efforts;
• Challenges those in child protective services, law enforcement and health respectively face daily in their work to protect children from mortal harm;
• Best practices for reducing the number of deaths; and
• Prevention strategies. 

Every Child Matters President Michael Petit, Joined by "Law and Order: SVU" stars Tamara Tunie and B.D. Wong

The second day of the Summit was devoted primarily to reviewing, refining, and adding to existing recommendations for shoring up a system already stretched too thin so it can better protect our children. Recommendations—among them the need for multidisciplinary teamwork, mandated training within and between disciplines, standardization of definitions, and better support for practitioners whose caseloads are too heavy and who often experience vicarious trauma—which came out of the Summit will be presented to Congress, the Administration, state governments, and advocates for children.

We are very pleased with the outcomes of the rally and the summit, but this is only the beginning. We will continue to push this issue in an effort to raise awareness about our most vulnerable children. If you’re asking yourself, “What can I do to help?” here are a few suggestions:

• Send a message to your Representatives, asking them to adopt new policies and commit new resources to safeguard vulnerable children all across the country.

• Take advantage of the momentum created by the report and the subsequent media blitz, by checking your local papers, calling the reporters, writing a letter to the editor, or submitting an op ed. We have a template that you can tailor to your needs and situation. Click here to download

• Forward this page to colleagues, friends, and family members.  

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Me and what Ive learned...
written by Holly, November 02, 2009

I am enrolled in school to become a MA this is my last month before extern. Every month we have to write a essay this mod i picked Child Abuse thinking this would be easy.When I started research I found the stories of Baby Peter Connolly, London Marie Sherwood, Charles Tyson JR, and Brianna Lopez. The story of Peter has eaten me alive almost. I find myself thinking of these Babies many time a day. It really bothers me that "people" can do this to innocent kids who did nothing wrong. For weeks I have been trying to come up with ways I can made a diffrence in some poor childs life. It ave really angered me to know that after "people" commit the terrible acts they get off so easy!!! Did these kids all die in vein?? what can we do as Humans to stop this cycle of abuse??? All of my tears, broken heart, anger, hate and sorrow have done nothing for any of the babies i continually read on. So lets taske a stand and deman more be done to protect or future... Our kids!!! If you have any ideas of ways to take this stand i so despartly want please let me know you can email anytime!!! Thank you!!!

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