PSA Sheds Light On Child Abuse In America

PHOENIX, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Childhelp, the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit advocating for abused and neglected children, has partnered with soap opera stars, "E! News" correspondents and film actors to raise awareness of the staggering statistics surrounding child abuse in the U.S. The PSA was filmed in Los Angeles during a celebrity bowling tournament, hosted by Childhelp Celebrity Ambassador and "Day of Our Lives" actress, Jen Lilley. The #FiveTooMany PSA brings to light the fact that nearly five children in the U.S. die each day from child abuse or neglect and that is #FiveTooMany.

Link to Download PSA: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2lei9j6koqdxkd4/AAAFut7OX_NtMPcLxdHhW2lEa?dl=0

The PSA, featuring stars of TV and film, will air in April during National Child Abuse Prevention Month and for the Childhelp National Day of Hope on April 1.

"Childhelp has built a 56-year legacy of dedication to the prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse and neglect," said Sara O'Meara, co-founder, CEO and chairman of the board for Arizona-based Childhelp. "The commitment of our supporters and celebrity ambassadors who have lent their names to this public service announcement proves that the world is filled with caring people who want to help end child abuse in the U.S."

In 2000, Congress passed a resolution designating the first Wednesday of each April as the Childhelp National Day of Hope. This day is held for honoring and remembering the children who have lost their lives due to abuse and neglect and provide hope and healing to those still suffering in silence. It is the central gathering during National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, a time of remembrance enacted by Congress and signed by President Carter.

Actors featured in the PSA include:

• Ian Buchanan, Actor, "General Hospital"
• Billy Flynn, Actor, "Days of Our Lives"
• Ginger Gonzaga, Actress, "Ted"
• Finola Hughes, Actress, "General Hospital"
• Stevie Lynn Jones, Actress
• Jen Lilley, Actress, "Days of Our Lives"
• Eric Roberts, Film Actor
• Chrishell Stause, Actress, "Days of Our Lives"
• Scott Swartz, Actor
• Gregory and Lawrence Zarian, Actors and "E! News" Correspondents

"I want to do everything I can to help end child abuse in the U.S.," said Jen Lilley, actress and Childhelp Celebrity Ambassador. "Lending my name to this cause and asking my friends to do the same is the least we can do to combat the fact that five children die each day in America because of abuse and neglect. We want to change that number and we hope the #FiveTooMany PSA will provide essential information so victims can get help."

A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds and nearly 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made annually. Childhelp's programs work to solve these issues daily. For more information visit www.childhelp.org/end-five-many/.

About Childhelp
Since 1959, Childhelp® has brought the light of hope and healing into the lives of countless children as a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping at-risk children. Childhelp's programs and services include residential treatment services, children's advocacy centers, therapeutic foster care, group homes and child abuse prevention, education and training. Childhelp created the Childhelp National Day of Hope®, held each April during National Child Abuse Prevention Month that mobilizes Americans to join the fight against child abuse. For more information, log on to www.childhelp.org, facebook.com/childhelp or twitter.com/childhelp.

SOURCE Childhelp

Related Links

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