Child Advocacy Center to hold rally to prevent child abuse
The Child Advocacy Center will be holding a rally to prevent child abuse this Saturday, April 28, at 10 a.m on Court Square. The morning ends the National Child Abuse Awareness month of April.
The first NCAA month, which began in 1983, is dedicated as a time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and encourage individuals and communities to support safe and stable families.
During the month, the Child Advocacy Center has been selling blue bows to be displayed at businesses and residential properties. The money collected will go to support prevention activities and treatment facilities for victims of abuse. According to Child Advocacy Center executive director Heather Hubbs, the local center served over 150 children last year.
The use of blue ribbons began in 1989 when a Virginia grandmother tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her car. She did it to alert her community to the tragedy of child abuse and as a way to remember her grandson who died as a result of abuse.
During this month, child advocates have been busy educating as many people as possible regarding what abuse is, the signs of child abuse and what to do about suspected abuse.
? Abuse can be physical, mental, emotional, sexual and drug related. Many children can suffer from more than one form of abuse.
? Signs include bruises, cuts, welts, scratches, broken bones, being fearful of certain people, unexplained crying, depression, unexplained silence and many more.
? Suspicion of child abuse can be reported by calling 1-800-356-6767 or contact the local center at 507-2386.
?The safety of a child is everyone?s responsibility,? said Hubbs. ?We offer a place where victims of abuse and their non-offending family members can go for evaluation, intervention, evidence gathering and counseling. Our goal is to provide the children with a safe and child-friendly environment. One call can be all it takes to prevent years of abuse.?
Those wishing to purchase a blue bow and support the prevention of child abuse can contact the center at 507-2386. Bows are $5.