Make your Pinky Promise in April 2026

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month this year, we’re asking you to paint one of your pinky fingernails BLUE as a Pinky Promise to represent and raise awareness for the 1 in 10 children who will experience sexual abuse before they turn 18 (Darkness to Light).

If you join us in our Pinky Promise endeavor during April, be sure to take a photo of yourself and your nails and post it on social media with the hashtag #PinkyPromiseCAPM…and ask your friends to join you!

If people ask you about your painted fingernail – because of course they will! – here’s a few approaches, tips and conversation starters to help them learn more about the issue and join you in becoming a safe, supportive person for the youth around you:

• Statistically, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys will be victims of sexual abuse before the age of 18, that’s 1 in 10 children.
• 137,142 children in Missouri are abused before their 18th birthday.
• Over 90% of abuse is perpetrated by someone children like, love, or live with.
• Researchers estimate that only 38% of child victims disclose the fact that they have been sexually abused.
• If you suspect abuse, report it to the Missouri’s Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.392.3738.
• For more information and resources, visit www.greenbearmo.org.

We can’t wait to see those blue pinkies!