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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in the U.S.

On Friday, April 15th, people can show their support for ending child abuse in Missouri being taking part in Wear Blue Day. Thousands of people in the state are expected to participate in the event.

"Really it's a day where we ask folks in our community to either display the color of blue or wear the color of blue to bring awareness to the issue of child abuse and neglect and that it's a problem and it continues to be a problem," said Bruce Normile Juvenile Justice Center Court Service Administrator Matt Holt.

In 2009, over 51,000 cases of child abuse or neglect was reported in the state of Missouri.

"It's a problem state wide and I can tell you first hand that it's an issue within our community," Holt said. "Child abuse and neglect has life long consequences for the victims. School failure being one, criminal involvement, possibility of mental health issues down the road."

The Children's Trust Fund, the state of Missouri's foundation for prevention of child abuse, has awarded more than $2.6 million in funding to community based programs across the state.

To learn more about child abuse prevention you can click here for the Bruce Normile Juvenile Justice Center in Kirksville, Mo. or you can call the nationwide line at 1-800-392-3738.