April Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month

During the past several years, the blue ribbon has been widely recognized as a national symbol of child abuse awareness. This movement began in the spring of 1989, when a Norfolk, Virginia grandmother, Bonnie Finney, took a stand against child abuse after experiencing the death of her grandson. She tied a blue ribbon to her van as a memorial for her 3 year-old grandson, who was murdered by his mother’s abusive boyfriend. The spirit of her blue ribbon grew, and others have joined her in using blue ribbons as reminders of the bruises of child abuse. Each year thousands of ribbons are distributed nationally to organizations and individuals interested in preventing child abuse and neglect.

The Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center encourages everyone to wear a blue ribbon pin during the month of April – and to encourage everyone they know to do the same!  It’s a simple but important way to remind everyone of the thousands of children who become victims of child abuse every year across the Commonwealth.

To obtain this blue ribbon pin for you or your business, church, or civic group, please contact the Center at (270) 783-4357.  Pins are available for $5.00 each and all proceeds benefit the mission of the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center.  Thank you for your support! 

How can I help?
During April, we invite you to be a partner in our effort to raise awareness about the realities of child sexual abuse in our communities by having your business, church or civic organization participate in the Blue Ribbon Campaign.  Here are a few suggestions of ways you or your group can help:

·         Help bring attention to the important issue of child abuse in our regional community by organizing a group to watch and cheer on our dedicated riders participating in the 11th Annual Great Teddy Bear Run for the CAC on April 3, 2010  (Click here to learn more) or give them a big “send off” from your town square.  Invite your local newspaper to cover your efforts.  The Center serves children from all of our ten counties – and all of them need more support!

·         Help educate your business, church or civic organization by organizing a presentation on Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention.  A representative from the Center will gladly provide you with the information you need. 

·         Purchase and wear a Blue Ribbon Pin every day during the month of April and encourage everyone around you to do the same!  You will help support our community’s Blue Ribbon Campaign and raise funds for the Center.

For more information and a packet of information about how to host a Blue Ribbon Campaign event, call the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center at (270) 783-4357.