Walk for Child Abuse Victims and Honor Hometown Heroes

Many of the 1 in 10 Rutherford County children who are sexually abused before age 18 silently bear the burden alone, said Director Sharon De Boer of the Child Advocacy Center.

“When a child gets the courage to reach out for help, that activates the local Hometown Heroes that works as a team to help children every day,” De Boer said.

The Department of Children’s Services assesses safety and protects children. Law enforcement investigates the crime and arrests perpetrators. The District Attorney’s Office aggressively prosecutes offenders and the Child Advocacy Center helps child victims and their families heal from the trauma.

Community residents can support child abuse victims and Hometown Heroes who help them by participating in the 2-mile Hometown Heroes Walk for Children at 11:45 a.m., Friday, April 20 from Murfreesboro’s Civic Plaza to the CAC at 1040 Samsonite Blvd. in Murfreesboro.

A picnic lunch will follow at the Child Advocacy Center.

The walk is free but walkers may buy a colorful T-shirt for only $10. To guarantee T-shirt sizes, please pre-register online at www.cacrutherford.org. People may also register beginning at 11 a.m. before the walk and buy T-shirts then.

“The Hometown Heroes Walk for Children is a wonderful opportunity to come together and show child victims how much we support them,” De Boer said. “Bring a team of walkers to the event and show children how much our community cares about them.”

For more information, contact the Child Advocacy Center at 615-867-9000.