Child abuse ceremony Thursday
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on April 1, 2009 1:46 PM
Child abuse happens throughout the year, but for one day, the WAGES For Children Council of Wayne County is hoping to make people more aware of the problem here.
The council is doing this through a Child Abuse Prevention 365 ceremony Thursday at 10 a.m. on the steps of City Hall.
Mayor Al King will kick off the ceremony by proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Members of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base's honor guard and local children will raise the child abuse prevention flag.
Speakers will be Viola Ryals Figueroa and Teri Thompson, who will talk about supporting healthy children, families and communities. Also, Lt. Col. Robert Wischtischin with the 4th Medical Operations Squadron at the base will talk about community support.
The Rev. Louis S. Leigh will offer a prayer for all children.
This is the fourth annual proclamation ceremony, according to Lee Arnettra Mitchell-Lee, For Children president.
"The proclamation is held to spread awareness in the community that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month," she said. "It emphasizes that child abuse prevention awareness is something that occurs year-round, not just in April."
Mrs. Lee said that the ceremony is also a reminder that abuse affects all communities and that by actively participating in child abuse prevention activities, everyone can band together for healthy children, families and communities.