Concerned Black Men of Los Angeles, CA, in conjunction with Street Positive and other community organizations, will be hosting a forum on Child Abuse and Sex Trafficking April 19 at Kipp Academy of Opportunity in L.A.

According to a joint statement, the groups are joining forces on the event because:

Child abuse and neglect in America has hit epidemic proportions. The total lifetime cost of dealing with child maltreatment is a staggering $124 billion annually. Additionally, 30% of abused children will abuse their own; child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic-economic level, across all ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and education levels. When considering African Americans, although 14.2% of the U.S. population, they account for more than 40% of youth in foster care; black children are 4 times more likely than whites to be in foster care.

Sex trafficking currently generates $32 billion annually and has a direct connection of impact on those physically, emotionally or sexually abused; average age of child becoming victim of sex trafficking is 13 yrs old.

The need for significantly increased prevention and early intervention has caught the attention of a number of active and distinct fatherhood engagement groups moving to take an active and progressive role in child safety.

“Promoting and generating awareness regarding child abuse in our community is important,” said CBM LA President Mark Anderson. “We’re planning this event in collaboration with our Parent Engagement Program to bring these type of topics to our parents to make them aware and give them resources to call upon in the event they do come across abuse with children.”

The event is part of a campaign to engage 1000 fathers and supporters throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, though McCuller and Street Positive CEO Terry Boykins are hoping to reach out to fathers nationwide to support the fight against sex trafficking, low self-esteem and paternal abandonment.