Miss America Joins Brooklyn DA's Campaign To Help Fight Child Sex Abuse
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The newly-crowned Miss America is joining Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes in the fight against childhood sexual abuse.
The cause is a personal issue for Mallory Hagan, 24, who confided that her mother and other women in her family were abuse victims.
"I really felt like it was an issue I needed to speak out on," Hagan said at the Brooklyn DA's offices. "It's gotta be something that's talked about, it's gotta be something that we actively engage in on a daily basis with not only our children but our peers. Adult to adult conversation is just as important as it is to talk to your children."
Miss America Joins Brooklyn DA's Campaign To Help Fight Child Sex Abuse
Hagan said childhood sex abuse is a widespread problem and more work needs to be done.
"The amount of work that we're doing to reduce it is helpful but we've gotta step it up," Hagan said.
In an effort to increase awareness of childhood sex abuse, the former Miss Brooklyn is recording public service announcements that will air on radio and television.
"Please don't stay silent," Hagan said. "If you know a child who is in immediate danger please call 911."
