We Can All Play a Part in Protecting Children
The Walk to End Child Abuse was initiated by two families who experienced the tragedy of child abuse, first-hand, and wanted to prevent others from falling victim to the same fate. After experiencing the loss of Justice Myers-Cannon and Bella Appel, the families of the children united with other concerned citizens, police officers, attorneys and politicians to make a change for the better.
We have many lofty goals as a group, including:
We have many lofty goals as a group, including:
- Prevention of child abuse
- An increase of child abuse awareness in the general public
- Linking the public with local services for children and families
- Raising funds for child advocacy centers that meet and serve the needs of local children
- Educate the public about child abuse signs, prevention, treatment, as well as HOW and WHERE to get help
- Addressing legal loopholes which prevent adequate punishment and treatment for child abusers
- Identifying (continuously) the needs of our local children and finding ways to meet those needs
Helping local children and seeing real change
We understand, from experience, that the rural community represents a special, often overlooked, segment of the population, resulting in a lack of funding and therefore, a lack of services available to rural children. Growing up in rural communities,we didn't see public service campaigns regarding child abuse; we didn't hear speakers discuss child abuse, inform us of the signs of abuse, or tell us how and where to get help. In fact, no one ever seemed to talk about abuse. Ever. Most people probably can't think of a national organization that provides services for children or builds awareness of child abuse. Not that such an organization doesn’t exist, but none stick out the way that ASPCA, American Heart Ass’n., or the American Cancer Society do.
- We want to bring that same publicity to local Child Advocacy Centers.
- We want people to proudly wear blue ribbons and freely discuss the problem that is child abuse.
- We want people to know the signs of abuse like they know their social-security numbers.
- We want to see our local communities respond to the needs of children when their parents, guardians, or society as a whole have failed them.
- We want to reach individual families, providing practical information and positive parenting strategies.
- We want people to know where they can get help, even if they do live in an area 15 miles from the nearest gas station.
By working together as a community, we all can play a part in strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect.
Find out more about how YOU can play a part and help create positive changes in our community by clicking on the links at the top of the page.
Find out more about how YOU can play a part and help create positive changes in our community by clicking on the links at the top of the page.