Events planned in Athens for Child Abuse Prevention Month

Athens Daily Review - 3/21/2019

March 21-- Mar. 21--Today, 175 children in this state will be victims of abuse, according to the Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas.

"No child ever asks to be abused or neglected," said Leslie Saunders, executive director of the Henderson County HELP Center. "It's up to everyone to look out for the children in our community."

Last year, 58,432 children received services from one of the children's advocacy centers across Texas, including Maggie's House in Henderson County. The website shows that one in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. That would equal 740,000 children in Texas

In April -- National Child Abuse Prevention Month -- people across the country will try to bring awareness about child abuse and neglect. On April 2, the Henderson County HELP Center and Maggie's House will host "A day of Advocacy for the Smallest Victims of Abuse and Neglect." County commissioners will read a proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Awareness Month, along with a proclamation from the East Texas Crisis Center declaring April Domestic/Sexual Abuse Prevention Month. At noon on the courthouse square, both proclamation will be read.

Also, the East Texas Crisis Center will display its clothesline project.

"The T-shirts bear witness to violence against women," Director of Outreach Della Cooper said. "We will have a table set up to paint T-shirts for survivors or for honoring a family member or friend of domestic violence or sexual assault."

Following the reading of the proclamations, a reception is set for 12:30 to 2 at Maggie's House, at 808 N. Libreville St., in Athens for community partners and friends.

"We're excited to have Athens ISD culinary arts and floral departments provide the refreshments and decorations," Saunders said.

An open house at the HELP Center and Maggie's House is scheduled for 5 to 7. A business after-hours event with refreshments and drinks, in collaboration with the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, is also planned.

"Join us as we stand up against child abuse and neglect," Saunders said.

To raise awareness about child abuse, officials with the Henderson County District Attorney's Office are again selling the Go Blue T-shirts.

Money raised from the sale of the T-shirts and area sponsorships is used to promote a poster contest that determines the design of the following year's shirts.

Fourth-graders from around the county who participated in the poster contest are invited to a "fun day" for kids at the Texas Freshwater Fishery on April 30 and May 1, where kids will be educated about child abuse.

Previously, Judge Scott McKee explained the buddy system to kids attending that event. He explained the importance of letting an adult know if something bad is happening to them.

Money from the sale of the T-shirts are also used to give first-, second- and third- place awards to participating area schools.

The 2019 shirts remain on sale at Island Tans in Athens, Jalopy Joe's in Gun Barrel City, the DA's office in Athens and Nettie's Cafe in Chandler.

For more about the clothesline project, call the East Texas Crisis Center at 903-675-2137.

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