Child Abuse Prevention Month

Memphis Child Advocacy Center
Children's Memorial Flag Raising

April is National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month. Each year, the Child Advocacy Center commemorates CAP Month by issuing a call to action to the community in honor of the children who died in the past year as a result of abuse or neglect. On Friday, April 9, 2010 at noon, the CAC, in partnership with the City of Memphis, Shelby County Government, and CASA, presented the annual Children's Memorial Flag Raising at Civic Center Plaza Downtown.

The Child Advocacy Center and the Child Protection Investigation Team housed at the CAC, joined together with local civic leaders and community members to raise the Children's Memorial Flag. Mayor A C Wharton, Mayor Joe Ford, Major Mike Ryall with the Memphis Police Homicide Bureau, and Nancy Williams, Executive Director of the CAC issued a call to the community.

Representatives from the Memphis Police Department, the Department of Children's Services, and CASA read the names of the lost children, accompanied by members of the Holy Rosary Hand Bell Choir. The Memphis Police Department Color Guard and Downtown Elementary Chorus were all there to help as well.

Each year, the ceremony is marked by the release of a white dove for each child lost, donated by Julie Johnson from Wings of Grace. The doves that are released circle up and fly home together. Everyone in attendance is touched by the sight of the doves being set to flight. In the words of Nancy Williams, Director of the CAC, "Together we can create a community where children are safe, families are strong and victims become children again."

In addition to this event, the Child Advocacy Center also has a 5K run/walk to benefit the children we serve. For more information about the 5K 4Kids by Nike, click here. To find out about other activities in the community during Child Abuse Prevention Month, go to www.MemphisStopsChildAbuse.org.