April is National Child Abuse Awareness month.
As a result, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau (SVB) kicked off its annual Child Abuse Awareness Fundraising Drive on April 1st, the “999 For Kids” Program. Each Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Station or Unit is responsible for its own fundraising efforts. The proceeds collected go toward the program and is used to benefit children under the supervision of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Specialized Medical Placement and Deaf Services Units. These children are victims of the most severe cases of child abuse, neglect, and/or domestic violence.
The men and women of Special Victims Bureau are committed to partnering with the community they serve. The primary hope is to protect the children of abuse. Special Victims Bureau shares a strong partnership with the community. The Bureau has a long history of involvement with public and private organizations. In the public arena, SVB works in concert with the Department of Children and Family Services, the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, the Department of Mental Health, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, just to name a few.
SVB shares exceptional relationships with Stuart House (Santa Monica), the Rape Treatment Center (Santa Monica), internet service providers, Crime Survivors, Crime Stoppers, Project Sister, and several Children Advocacy Centers in Los Angeles County. It is through these committed partnerships that SVB has been able to increase their outreach to the communities we serve.
Endangering the health and welfare of a child, neglecting basic needs, physically assaulting, or sexually molesting a child are considered child abuse. If you see or suspect child abuse, call your local Sheriff’s Station or police department or the Department of Children and Family Services Child Protection Hotline 800-540-4000 (toll-free within California).
