PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

April 24, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Recognizes National Child Abuse Prevention Month

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown joined Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera and other community stakeholders to recognize April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“Child abuse is one of the most horrific crimes that can happen in our community. It hurts the most vulnerable and defenseless,” said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown. “It will not be tolerated nor accepted because our community is a place where children can do well, engage in fun, positive activities and where adults can create safe, stable and nurturing environments for our children.”

The Salt Lake City Police Department is committed to aggressively investigating crimes against children and teens.

According to the National Children’s Alliance, more than 600,000 children are abused in the U.S each year. An estimated 618,000 children (unique incidents) were victims of abuse and neglect in 2020, the most recent year for which there is national data. The actual number of children abused is likely underreported.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines the four most common types of abuse and neglect as:

●     Physical abuse is the intentional use of physical force that can result in physical injury. Examples include hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or other shows of force against a child.

●     Sexual abuse involves pressuring or forcing a child to engage in sexual acts. It includes behaviors such as fondling, penetration, and exposing a child to other sexual activities. Please see CDC’s Preventing Child Sexual Abuse webpage for more information.

●     Emotional abuse refers to behaviors that harm a child’s self-worth or emotional well-being. Examples include name-calling, shaming, rejecting, withholding love, and threatening.

●     Neglect is the failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs. These needs include housing, food, clothing, education, access to medical care, and having feelings validated and appropriately responded to.

A full recording of the press conference can be viewed by clicking here.

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