Johnson City, NY (WBNG Binghamton) April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Broome County began its recognition of the observance Monday.
The Broome County Family Violence Prevention Council offered a preview of a new Public Service Announcement that will soon air.
It deals with one of the major reasons children in Broome County are suffering from abuse, according to a recent study conducted by the county's fatality team.
"The Broome County Child fatality review team in its work came across the situation that young children in our community are dying because they're being left home alone with partners who are ill suited to take care of them," says Janette Cyganovich Brush, Coordinator at the Broome County Family Violence Prevention Council.
Typically a child is abused by someone they know and trust.
"We had in our Broome County Child Advocacy center in 2011, 243 cases of child physical and or sexual abuse," says Raini Baudendistal, Executive Director at the Broome County Crime Victims Assistance Center.
The county hopes to raise awareness through education.
Every Tuesday starting on April 17th, at the Oakdale Mall a free program for parents will be offered on safe discipline skills at the "Lets Read" center by JC Penny at 10:30 am.
"When a community has safe healthy children these children are then able to maximize the benefit of their educational opportunities and local resources. These children then grow up to become responsible and productive citizens," says Dr. Suzanne McLeod, Superintendent of Union Endicott Schools and Chairperson for the Family Violence Prevention Council.
"Funding the Family Violence Prevention Council and Youth Bureau are among the most important dollars the county spends, but I look at this spending as an investment to our future," says Broome County Executive Debbie Preston.
Community members used pinwheels today to represent their commitment to happy, healthy and safe childhoods.
Shaken baby syndrome is among the most common in county child abuse cases.
In 2011 The Broome County Crime Victims Assistance Center accompanied more than 150 abused children at the emergency room.
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