Family Violence Exists Intergenerationally Within Far Too Many Families

Family Violence exists intergenerationally within far too many families, in the form of:

1. Child abuse and neglect,
2. Spouse and partner abuse (also known as domestic violence), and
3. Elder abuse and neglect and economic exploitation. 

As a voluntary private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, The American Campaign for Prevention of Child Abuse and Family Violence is addressing the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of vulnerable individuals within America’s homes.

Child Abuse

More than 2.5 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States annually with hundreds of deaths related to child abuse reported each year. Child abuse occurs through four primary categories: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.

Most runaways, adolescent prostitutes and teenage delinquent’s report having been victims of some form of child abuse, and it is reported that a majority of violent criminals suffered abuse, either physical and/or sexual as children.

Abuse robs children of the opportunity to develop healthy, trusting relationships with adults, contributes to low self-esteem, and impairs healthy psycho-social development.

Spouse/Partner Abuse

Spouse or partner abuse is commonly termed “domestic violence”. While it is a crime that is perpetrated by both genders, it is a crime whose victims are primarily women and often children. It is a crime that annually leaves 3 to 4 million women in the United States battered by their husbands or partners. It is a crime committed every 15 seconds, according to some estimates, with a woman and possibly her children, being victimized, most often in the one place where they should feel safe…the home.

The prevention of spouse/partner abuse is dependent upon national, community and individual efforts. It must begin with a national awareness of the problem and education toward understanding how such violence effects women and children in our society, and by supporting organizations like the American Campaign whose work is addressing these problems.

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is an often unnoticed yet growing problem in the American culture. Between 1.6 and 2 million older Americans become victims of abuse or neglect in domestic and institutional settings each year.

The number of older persons in American society is increasing, with the number of persons over the age of 85 growing faster than the elderly population in general.

With the advancements in medical science contributing to the elongation of the life span for larger numbers of men and women, the challenge of insuring safe, healthy, productive lives for the elderly grows.

Victims often live in isolation where their limited physical capacity, fear and increased vulnerability compound their sense of aloneness leading to a decline in their physical, emotional and mental health. Many of these victims suffer in silence, fearful of what will happen to them should the abuse become known.

How You Can Help

Now in its 33rd year as a national, volunteer, nongovernmental organization, NCCAFV and its American Prevention Campaign serves all fifty states and U.S. Territories as a resource center on family violence prevention initiatives and provides assistance referrals to individuals needing community violence prevention services.

Because their entire expert staff are unpaid volunteers, with the exception of 5 leased clerical office and phone staff in Washington, DC, every dollar contributed to the American Campaign provides the maximum impact for individual victims and families.

1. As a donor: you can support the American Campaign by donating to them through your employer’s workplace giving program. Federal employees can choose to support them by designating their contributions to CFC# 10361. Payroll pledges made through employer-sponsored charitable giving programs represent a cost effective and near effortless way to support your favorite charities. You may also make a donation to them via one-time or recurring credit card by clicking here.
2. As an Employer: As the American Campaign’s workplace giving partner, America’s Charities can help your company design and implement a program centered on supporting their mission – through workplace giving campaigns, employee fundraising, cause-focused signature programs, volunteerism, donation drives, matching gifts, Dollars-for-Doers, In-Kind Giving and other employee engagement and philanthropic initiatives. Click here to request a demo and learn how we can help you do this.