Philadelphians encouraged to pledge to break the cycle of child abuse

At 2 p.m. today, Mayor Michael Nutter and other city officials will take the pledge to break the silence against child abuse, and others are encouraged to do the same.

Chris Kirchner from the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance will talk about the online pledge to recognize and report child abuse.

The pledge is simple:

 

“If I see, hear, suspect, or in any way become aware that a child is being abused, I will not keep silent. I will have the courage to help that child break free of silence, secrecy, and shame that should never define a child’s life.”

WHYY/NewsWorks reporter Tom MacDonald will be there as Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, D.A. Seth Williams, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Leroy Nunery and Department of Human Services Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose take their pledges and tell Philadelphians to “Be Aware” of the signs of child abuse.