Local agencies that assist child abuse victims are partnering for the 19 Days of Activism for the Prevention of Violence Against Children and Youth. The Women's World Summit Foundation is sponsoring the event. This worldwide event happens every year from November 1-19.  This is the seventh year that Rutherford County organizations have participated.  

"Nineteen days may seem like a short period of time to us as adults, but to a child being abused every day it can feel like a lifetime," said Sharon De Boer, executive director of the Child Advocacy Centers in Rutherford and Cannon Counties. "Now imagine the impact we can have on children’s lives in our community in 19 days by collaborating with other organizations, raising awareness, and encouraging adults to report child abuse."

The Child Advocacy Center is a non-profit agency that for the last 20 years has served victims of child abuse, child sexual abuse, and drug endangered children. The Center works as a multi-disciplinary team with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to respond to child abuse cases. The Department of Children’s Services protects children, law enforcement arrests perpetrators, the District Attorney’s Office prosecutes offenders, while the Child Advocacy Center helps children and families heal from the trauma of the abuse.

"The 19 Day Campaign is a multi-issue coalition of diverse organizations and partners involved in the fight against child abuse, working for a social transformation, mobilizing agents for change, and creating public awareness and support at the national, regional, and international level," said Child Advocacy Center Community Education Coordinator Brittnie Noble.

"Darkness to Light" November Trainings: Date                                      Location                                               November 6, 2019         R Kids R Small Wonders November 6, 2019         Middle Tennessee State University November 11, 2019       Launch Pad Early Learning Center November 14, 2019       Learning Zone November 19, 2019       Kids R Kids

During the 19 Days of Activism, the Child Advocacy Center has two goals.  The first goal is that the 19 Days of Action partner agencies will sponsor press releases every day for 19 days to educate our community about child abuse and the services available in Rutherford County to assist child victims.

Watch for more information this month from other organizations that provide critically needed services to child abuse victims. The partner agencies include:

• Boys and Girls Club
• Child Advocacy Center
• Department of Children’s Services
• Domestic Violence Program
• LaVergne Police Department
• Murfreesboro City Schools
• Murfreesboro Police Department
• Nurses for Newborns
• Prevention Coalition for Success
• Rutherford County Coalition Against Child Abuse
• Rutherford County Schools
• Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
• Smyrna Police Department
• Tennessee Association for Play Therapy
• The Family Center

The second goal is that the Child Advocacy Center is hosting Darkness to Light trainings to educate parents, grandparents, and professionals how to protect children from child sexual abuse and what to do if a child discloses abuse. "This is where you come in," said Child Advocacy Center Community Education Coordinator Brittnie Noble. "You can be a part of the solution to end child abuse in our community by bringing the child sexual abuse prevention training to your church, school, PTO, sports league, civic group, or business. Let’s work together and make a difference in children’s lives!"

For more information on the 19 Days of Activism visit the Women’s World Summit Foundation website at http://www.woman.ch/index.php?page=19daysofactivism.