Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to awareness about and funds to prevent and treat child sexual abuse (CSA), announced it will hold its Fourth Annual International Race to Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse. The race will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2007, at 8:00 am in Washington, DC, in West Potomac Park (near intersection of Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20242). A pledge Fun Run/Walk of 2.25 miles will be held at the same time and circle the Tidal Basin (all meet at West Potomac). The funds raised will be used to provide comprehensive local and national programming.

"Stop the Silence is eager to again host this important race that gives a voice and support to the victims and survivors of the horrors of child sexual abuse-and helps programming for its prevention," said Dr. Pamela Pine, Founder and CEO of Stop the Silence. "This silent epidemic is everyone's problem, creating long-lasting and negative impacts on our society and survivors," she added. "The statistics speak volumes. Approximately 73% percent of prostitutes overall and 95% of teen prostitutes were sexually abused before the age of 16; more than 32% percent of incarcerated killers (both men and women) were sexually abused as children; 60% of teenage mothers; and 73% of female runaways. The relationship with drugs and alcohol and chronic disease is through the roof! The Race to Stop the Silence brings the issue out into the light so that we can address this as a society."

The Race to Stop the Silence will include a 10K Race, a 2.25 mile Fun Run/Walk, and a 1K Kids' Fun Run. Race entry fees are $25 and $30 on race day (in special locations) for the 10K race and the 2.25 mile run/walk. Commemorative T-shirts will be available to all entrants. To register for the race, please visit: www.stopcsa.org/race.

This annual event has grown each year, attracting about 1,200 people this past year. Sponsorship support comes from the generosity of groups including The Walking Company, Comcast, Ms. Foundation for Women, Constella Group, and others.

Race sponsors are providing valuable prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female race winners across numerous categories. The first man and woman to cross the finish line will each receive a ticket to anywhere Southwest Airlines flies. Other winners will receive goods from The Walking Company and accommodations and passes to Snowshoe Mountain Resort for skiing, golfing, mountain biking, or other choice activities.

The National Race to Stop the Silence was born with the assistance of many, including Sharon Simone, a CSA survivor, activist, and educator. Ms. Simone was a leading advocate for passage of the The Child Abuse Accountability Act after years of silence about childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the hand of her father, an FBI agent and nationally- recognized child abuse expert.

About Stop the Silence: Stop the Silence is a nonprofit, charitable organization working with individuals, companies, and community- and faith-based organizations in various states to raise awareness and funds to support programming, and provide technical assistance in the area of CSA prevention and treatment. More information at www.stopcsa.org/race.