Author: Melissa Merrick

Statements & Messages

A Message on Gun Violence from Dr. Melissa Merrick

July 8, 2022

Statements & Messages

This month, the Chicagoland area and the entire nation mourns the loss of numerous lives and the injuries of many others in what can only be described as senseless acts of violence this Independence Day weekend. The understandable outrage and profound sadness following the mass shootings that occurred not only on Chicago’s South Side and in nearby Highland Park, Illinois, but also around the country, are feelings that we at Prevent Child Abuse America share. As a national organization headquartered in Chicago, all of us at PCA America feel the weight of these tragedies, and we stand in solidarity with our friends and neighbors.

Statements & Messages

Child Abuse and Neglect During the Pandemic – A Complicated Story So Far

May 24, 2022

Statements & Messages

What a heavy week it is for our nation and communities. Words are not enough to express our collective grief, and our hearts are with the families of the victims and the entire community in Uvalde, Texas. As a mother, I’m angry and frustrated and so sad (all the feelings, really), knowing that these events and the tragic loss of lives did not have to happen. This could have been prevented if we truly implemented a comprehensive approach to preventing gun violence.

News

Partners in Building Better Childhoods

April 1, 2022

News

Prevention starts with partnership. As part of Prevent Child Abuse America’s 50th anniversary in 2022, we are bringing together organizations and institutions who are committed to working across sectors to develop more just and equitable systems that benefit all children and families and break harmful intergenerational cycles of trauma and poverty.   

Statements & Messages

A Message from Dr. Melissa Merrick in Response to Texas AG Opinion on Gender-Affirming Care

February 23, 2022

Statements & Messages

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently issued an opinion classifying medically necessary gender-affirming care to youth as child abuse. AG Paxton’s statement stands in direct opposition to the evidence-based care recognized by numerous professional societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, Endocrine Society, and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Statements & Messages

Dr. Melissa Merrick Responds to New Report on Systemic Abuse in Sports Perpetrated by Larry Nassar

February 2, 2022

Statements & Messages

As the world’s elite athletes prepare for the Winter Olympics to commence this Friday in Beijing, a new, independent report prepared by the Game Over Commission to Protect Child Athletes and CHILD USA makes a clear call for changes in the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, from the top down.

Statements & Messages

A Message from Dr. Merrick on Investing in Children & Families through the Build Back Better Act

November 16, 2021

Statements & Messages

Prevent Child Abuse America supports the following historic investments in families included in the Build Back Better Act.

Statements & Messages

A Message from Dr. Merrick in Response to Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Examining the FBI’s Handling of the Larry Nassar Investigation

September 16, 2021

Statements & Messages

Courage. Bravery. Resilience. On Wednesday, September, 15, Olympic gymnasts McKayla Maroney, Simone Biles, Maggie Nichols, and Aly Raisman testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the FBI’s egregious handling of their initial reports of sexual abuse by then USA gymnastics team doctor, Larry Nassar. Their strength and courage is paving the way for other victims of sexual abuse to come forward, bring abuse into the light of day, and highlighting the gross failures of our youth serving systems in protecting children from harm. To these women and the countless other victims of sexual abuse, we see you, we hear you, we believe you, and we are doing all that we can to ensure that sexual abuse never occurs in the first place.

Statements & Messages

A Message from Dr. Merrick Supporting the Health, Safety, and Well-being of Transgender and Non-binary Youth and Families   

May 6, 2021

Statements & Messages

Sixteen states are considering legislation that would restrict physicians from providing medically necessary gender-affirming care to youth, and one state recently enacted such a law. Several of these bills would also criminalize parents who affirm their children’s gender identity, defining such affirmation as child abuse. These laws stand in direct opposition to the evidence-based care recognized by numerous professional societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, Endocrine Society, and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Statements & Messages

A Message from Dr. Merrick on Shifting the Narrative to Child & Family Well-being

February 5, 2021

Statements & Messages

2020 was a challenging year for many of us—for all of us—but I’m hopeful 2021 will be different…better. In this time of widespread change, we are acutely aware of the need to honestly assess where we’ve been and plot a deliberate course forward for ourselves, our organizations, and our communities. The choices we make and actions we take today will inform how we all flourish in the years to come.

Statements & Messages

A Message from Dr. Merrick on Violence at the US Capitol

January 7, 2021

Statements & Messages

Many of you, like me, had to try to explain to your children the news and troubling images that flashed across our many screens yesterday. We attempted to answer questions and allay fears about safety and freedoms that we take for granted in a democratic society. As if parenting during a global pandemic was not hard enough, parenting during such deeply disturbing events shook many of us to the core.