Staff reports
Monday, April 4, 2016 11:32 am

AUGUSTA, Maine - It may be unfathomable to many, but in 2015 more than 2,100 cases of child abuse and neglect were confirmed in Maine.

April is nationally designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Maine child abuse prevention advocates and law enforcement will gather at the State House Tuesday to discuss ways to combat child abuse.

Prevention efforts such as parent education, home visitation and early childhood education programs are among the tools being used to ensure young families have the knowledge to provide a safe and stable household for children.

Among those gathering for Tuesday's event are Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew, representatives from Augusta Police and Fight Crime Invest in Kids, The Maine Children's Trust, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Councils.

State and local police will also participate in a variety of events throughout the state during April, joining local child abuse prevention councils to host forums bringing attention to child abuse prevention and to highlight the community partnerships that work on the issue.

Jan Clarkin, Executive Director of the Maine Children's Trust said, "Maine law enforcement see first-hand what happens when child abuse and neglect are not prevented, and the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Councils in partnership with the Maine Children's Trust work diligently to insure Maine children are safely nurtured."