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A Message from Dr. Melissa Merrick in Response to Texas AG Opinion on Gender-Affirming Care
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.
A Message from Dr. Merrick on Investing in Children & Families through the Build Back Better Act
Prevent Child Abuse America supports the following historic investments in families included in the Build Back Better Act.
A Message from Dr. Merrick in Response to Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Examining the FBI’s Handling of the Larry Nassar Investigation
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.
A Message from Dr. Merrick on Shifting the Narrative to Child & Family Well-being
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.
A Message from Dr. Merrick on Violence at the US Capitol
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.
A Back-to-school Message From Dr. Melissa Merrick
In this special back-to-school monthly message, Dr. Melissa Merrick reinforces, “Whatever your child’s learning program—in-person, remote, or a hybrid of the two—there is no perfect answer, just the best solution you can provide right now…What’s important is how we as parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, and communities continue to create the safe, stable, and nurturing environments and relationships that enable our children to succeed and thrive.”
In Memory of Sid Johnson
Prevent Child Abuse America pays tribute to Sid Johnson, a tireless champion for children and families across the country and former President and CEO of this organization (1998–2005), who passed last month, surrounded by family, near Eugene, Oregon.
A Message on Racism from Dr. Melissa Merrick
For the last several days, emotions that have run high for generations have clearly reached a boiling point, here in Chicago and throughout the country. The understandable outrage, profound sadness, and deafening demands for change stemming from the death of George Floyd and countless others before him are feelings that we at Prevent Child Abuse America share. For those who grieve, we grieve with you.
Dr. Melissa Merrick Responds to New Rules Under Title IX
Recent news from the Department of Education regarding new rules under Title IX, anticipated to take effect by mid-August, raise serious concerns for victims of sexual abuse and misconduct in the higher education setting.