Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention and Baltimore Child Abuse Center Announce New Website

Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention and Baltimore Child Abuse Center Announce New Website

Website Will Help Professionals Across Maryland Spot the Signs of Child Abuse

ANNAPOLIS, MD – As the school year begins, the men and women who work with children in Maryland have a new resource to help them protect children from child abuse.A new website, supported by a grant from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention, provides resources for mandated reporters, who are required by Maryland law to report signs of abuse and neglect in the youngsters they work with. While mandated reporters are required to report child abuse, the website provides facts and information for anyone who comes in contact with children and should report suspected abuse to authorities.

“Our children depend on the adults in their lives to protect and care for them,” said Glenn Fueston, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention. “This website will help us as a state to do our best to recognize when something is wrong, and to report our suspicions to the proper agencies.”

Created in partnership with the Baltimore Child Abuse Center, this website can be used by anyone in Maryland who works with children, be they teachers, social workers, athletic coaches, or volunteers in youth programs.

“We encourage everyone who cares about children to visit this new website, www.ReportAbuseMD.com,” said Adam Rosenberg, executive director of the Baltimore Child Abuse Center. “The website has information on where to report suspected abuse in every county in the state. Besides tips on how to recognize and respond when abuse occurs, there are free online trainings for anyone—mandated reporters, parents, or concerned citizens—who want to understand how we can protect children from abuse or neglect.”

The funding for this program is from the federal Children’s Justice Act. The Maryland Children’s Justice Act Committee conducts a statewide assessment every three years to determine the state’s needs and makes funding recommendations to Crime Control & Prevention.

Baltimore Child Abuse Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides victims of child sexual abuse, trauma, and other Adverse Childhood Experiences in Baltimore and their non-offending caretakers with comprehensive forensic interviews, medical treatment, and mental health treatment with a goal of preventing future trauma. Baltimore Child Abuse Center is the oldest children's advocacy center in Maryland and serves more than 1,000 children annually.  For more information, visit: www.bcaci.org

About the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention

The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention serves as a coordinating office that advises the governor on criminal justice strategies. The office plans, promotes, and funds efforts with government entities, private organizations, and the community to advance public policy, enhance public safety, reduce crime and juvenile delinquency, and serve victims.