[Archived] City of Alexandria Community Members Encouraged to Prevent and Recognize Child Abuse

For Immediate Release: March April 3, 2019 

This April, in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Child Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (CAPCA) is offering free trainings to raise awareness of child abuse. 

In fiscal year 2018, City of Alexandria Child Protective Services (CPS) conducted 556 family assessments and investigations in response to concerns of abused or neglected children. Of the investigations, there were 30 founded cases. One hundred percent of children receiving Child Welfare Services did not have additional findings of abuse or neglect within 12 months of services. 

From inadequate supervision to sexual abuse, each allegation represents a community member who is concerned enough about the safety of a child to make a call seeking help. The prevention of child abuse is everyone’s responsibility, and throughout April there will be opportunities for individuals and groups to learn how to prevent abuse and respond when concerned about the safety of a child.

• RESPONDING RESPONSIBLY TO CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT April 18, 12-2 p.m.
• DARKNESS 2 LIGHT’S BYSTANDERS PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM BOUNDARY VIOLATIONS AND SEXUAL ABUSE April 11, 12-1 p.m.
• DARKNESS 2 LIGHT’S STEWARDS OF CHILDREN® April 30, 5:30– 8 p.m.

Learn more about each training and register at alexandriava.gov/ChildAbuse. All trainings will be held at the Center for Alexandria’s Children, 1900 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria. Parking is on-site and free. Certificates of completion will be provided and CEUs are available.

Sponsored by the Child Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (CAPCA). CAPCA comprises the Center for Alexandria’s Children (CAC), the Department of Community and Human Services, Healthy Families Alexandria and SCAN of Northern Virginia. 

For more information, contact Carla Claudio Silva: carla@alexandriaskids.org or 703.746.6018.