April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

“Experts estimate that 1 out of 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday,” said Child Advocacy Center Community Education Coordinator Tatum Hochstetler. “I grew up in Rutherford County. This statement is truly astounding when you think of how many children there are in our community and how many families are impacted.”

“National Child Abuse Prevention Month happens every April. It is a time for our community to come together and take a stand against child abuse,” continued Hochstetler.

The Child Advocacy Center works as a multidisciplinary team with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute child abuse cases, helping children and families heal from the trauma. The Team has worked together to assist over 25,000 children and families in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

This month, the Child Advocacy Center invites you to join them in their ongoing mission to provide safety, justice, and healing for the most vulnerable crime victims in our community – child abuse and child sexual abuse victims.

“Research shows that only one-third of child sexual abuse incidents are identified and even fewer are reported,” said Hochstetler. Darkness to Light training combats this statistic by walking trainees through 5 simple steps to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

One way you can make a difference in your children’s lives is by registering for a free Darkness to Light child sexual abuse prevention training or by bringing this training to your church or civic group. The evidence-informed, award-winning training is currently available in person or virtually in Rutherford and Cannon Counties. For more information contact Tatum Hochstetler at tengland@cacrutherford.org or (615) 867-9000.

The second way you can be involved during Child Abuse Prevention Month is by walking in the 6th Annual Hometown Heroes Walk for Children. The event will be held at the Murfreesboro Civic Plaza on Friday, April 30, 2021. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m., speakers at 11:30 a.m., and the Walk will begin at 12:00 noon.

“We would love to see our community support the 1 in 10 child abuse victims in our community by walking in the event or walking with your family and friends in your neighborhood,” encouraged Development Coordinator Katie Enzor. Sign up to walk at www.cacrutherford.org.

If your business, civic group, or family would like to sponsor this year’s Hometown Heroes Walk for children, please contact Katie Enzor at (615) 867-9000 or kenzor@cacrutherford.org.