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Prevent child abuse The Child Abuse Response and Evaluation or CARE center marks child abuse prevention month

Altus Times - 4/3/2017

OKLAHOMA CITY — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Child Abuse Response and Evaluation or CARE Center is taking to social media to ask businesses, organizations and members of the community to post photos on their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles, wearing blue and advocating against child abuse.

It’s easy to see child abuse as a nationwide problem, but it is actually a sweeping problem in Oklahoma.

One in three girls and one in five boys in Oklahoma County will be abused before their 18th birthday. Put that into the context of kids on an average school bus — about 18 girls and 11 boys on a single bus will have suffered some level of abuse.

How does a staggering problem get fixed? Start with increasing awareness.

“Once you’ve opened your eyes to the problem, it’s amazing what you see,” said Stacy McNeiland, CEO of the CARE Center, the nonprofit child advocacy center serving Oklahoma County. “When you can get people talking, it seems that most have a story, and the majority want to know how to help.”

To reach more children and break Oklahoma’s cycle of abuse, McNeiland and her team need local advocates who will stand up for children and lead them to the CARE Center. April presents a special opportunity for the community to lend a hand — and it’s as simple as a selfie.

“Blue is the color of Child Abuse Awareness Month, and so we’re going blue,” McNeiland said. “We need the people of Oklahoma City to stand with us­ to raise awareness — to be brave, bold and blue.”

To get involved, take a photo, tag the Care Center and use hashtag #braverygoesblue. The goal of the campaign is to open up conversations about the child abuse problem, and make Oklahoma residents aware of the CARE Center’s extensive, free services.

For more information visit carecenter-okc.org.