Safe Haven for Newborns
- Details
- Published on Friday, 11 September 2015 12:35
Four children die every day in the United States as a result of child abuse.
Three out of four of these victims are under the age of 4.
Newborns are at greatest risk during the first few days of their life.
What?
- A safe haven is an alternative to abandonment, child abuse, or murder.
Where?
- In Missouri: A newborn45 days old or less may be left in the hands of staff on duty at a hospital, fire or police station, or city or county health department.
Who?
- Mostly women, they come from all education levels, ethnic backgrounds, and income levels.
- They likely had no prenatal care.
- They are likely not married and have no relationship with the father of the baby.
- Their average age is 18 to 22.
Why?
- They may feel: isolated, alone frightened, in denial, anger, guilt, panic, trapped, helpless and/or hopeless.
- They may fell that abandonment is the only option to bring ultimate closure to a traumatic event. But it's not!
Safe Haven for Newborns Coalition of Greater Kansas City
A group of dedicated individuals and agencies in Kansas and Missouri who recognize the need to promote state Safe Haven laws through education, advocacy and collaboration.
Our Goal: Raising community awareness about Kansas and Missouri Safe Haven laws through comprehensive, coordinated, metro-wide promotion of Safe Havens as a child abuse prevention strategy.
Details about the laws and additional resources can be found at www.mchc.net
For more information dial 2-1-1 or 866-320-5764.
Friend us on Facebook - look for us under "KC Metro Safe Haven"
To learn more about the Coalition, contact Debby Howard 573-230-6256 or info@mchc.net
Help spread the word to prevent this tragedy.
