In almost half of child deaths related to abuse and neglect reported in Clark County the last two years, the perpetrator was the mother's boyfriend.
As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, UNLV's Nevada Institute forChildren's Research and Policy (NICRP) and local police, government and community organizations are teaming up to launch the Choose Your Partner Carefully Campaign.
Tips on how to recognize positive and negative qualities of a child's caretaker will appear on bus stop shelters throughout Southern Nevada and on fliers at local community centers, health clinics, schools, domestic violence shelters, child-care providers and government agencies.
"This problem is not unique to Las Vegas, and this campaign is being implemented around the country," said Amanda Haboush, a senior research associate at NICRP. "Parents who leave their children with a caretaker should consider how the individual treats other people and be mindful of their behavior toward children. Community outreach is needed to ensure a safe environment for kids."
Campaign organizers will launch the campaign with a news conference at 8:15 a.m. April 4 at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas prior to the Nevada Legislature's meeting on child welfare and juvenile justice. Speakers include Haboush; Lisa Teele, supervisor for the Las Vegas Metro Police's Abuse and Neglect Detail; former Nevada Congresswoman Dina Titus; Mari Parlade of Courts Catalyzing Change; and Nevada Senator Valerie Wiener.
On April 14, NICRP and community partners will host "Pinwheels for Prevention," an awareness event as part of National Prevent Child Abuse month at Tivoli Village located at 440 S. Rampart Blvd. off of Alta Drive.
Campaign partners include the NICRP, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, Clark County Department of Family Services, Clark County District Attorney's Office and Southern Nevada Children's Assessment Center.
For the last five years, the NICRP has prepared an annual report breaking down the manners and causes of child death cases in Clark County. The reports are available on NICRP's web site: http://nic.unlv.edu/reports.html.
NICRP is a provisional chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. More information on preventing child abuse can be found on Prevent Child Abuse Nevada web site.
