Children’s Advocacy Centers Unite for Child Abuse Prevention

(ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX – March 30) April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to bring awareness to the prevalence of child abuse in our community. Child abuse thrives in the dark, and continues only as long as it remains secret and hidden. By bringing awareness to the problem, Children’s Advocacy Centers in Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Fannin, Grayson, Hood, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Rockwall, Somervell and Tarrant counties will equip adults to identify and report abuse, empower children to ask for help, and enable professionals to bring perpetrators to justice.

Did you know?

Children’s Advocacy Centers across North Texas provide services to thousands of children victimized by abuse each year.
Rockwall County CPS documented 132 substantiated victims of child abuse in the year 2016.
Rockwall County jury trials involving child abuse have increased 51% since 2011.
As many as 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience sexual abuse before turning 18.
Texas law requires anyone 18 years old or older who suspects child abuse to report that suspicion.

Individuals, organizations and corporations can participate in these activities during April:

April 6th – Texas Go Blue Day – Organizations and corporations throughout the community are encouraged to wear blue in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Prizes will be awarded for largest group, most creative, and best pet—tag Childrens Advocacy Center for Rockwall County on your Facebook pictures with #IStandUp and help create awareness.

April 27^th – Go Blue for Kids Banquet – The second annual Go Blue for Kids Banquet will be held at Rockwall Manor at The Springs in Poetry, TX to raise funds for the Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County. Ticket and sponsorship information is available at https://rockwallcac.org/event/go-blue-for-kids-2018/.

April 29th – Blue Sunday – This event provides an opportunity for faith communities to get involved by organizing a special offering to benefit The Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County or by asking faith leaders to share a statistic or story during their service. A prayer sheet is also available upon request.

Everyone is welcome at the Ribbon Cutting and official Signing Ceremony at 8:30am Thursday, April 5. A light breakfast will be served. Come meet the staff and learn more about CAC’s services.

You can also stand up for children by sharing the realities of child abuse by organizing an awareness event, or by contributing financial or volunteer support to bring hope, healing, and justice to children victimized by abuse.

For more stories, statistics, and information about how you can join in the efforts around Child Abuse Prevention Month in Rockwall County, visit www.rockwallcac.org.

Submitted by Mary Bierds, Rockwall CAC.

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