Chief Tim Lentz announces that the Covington Police Department has partnered with the Exchange Club of West St. Tammany in raising awareness for child abuse prevention. According to the Child Abuse Prevention Center (www.thecapcenter.org), in the United States alone, a report of child abuse is made every ten seconds. Almost 5 children die each day as a result of child abuse and more than three out of every four are under the age of four.
Research suggests that one in four girls and one in six boys are subjected to some form of sexual abuse by age 18. More than 30% of sexually abused child victims don’t report the abuse and 90% of victims knew their perpetrator in some way. 81% of victims were abused or maltreated by their biological parents and the abuse is seldom a one-time incident. Child abuse can be prevented with the help of the community. If you or someone you know is a victim of child abuse, report it as soon as possible to local authorities. There are many resources that can be made available to victims of child abuse.
Starting last Wednesday, Covington Police officers wore their ‘CAP’ hats through the weekend. These baseball caps feature “CAP”, an acronym for Child Abuse Prevention, in bold letters with the words “Child Abuse Prevention” printed below. These hats were graciously purchased from the Exchange Club of West St. Tammany by the local Fraternal Order of Police chapter and the officers will give their hats to a child in the community at the end of their tour of duty.
Please join the CPD in raising awareness of child abuse, a preventable crime with the help of the community. If you would like to become involved in raising child abuse prevention awareness or would like further information, please visit the Exchange Club of West St. Tammany’s website at www.sttammanyexchange.org.
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