Memphis Child Advocacy Center

Child Abuse Prevention Month


Memphis Child Advocacy Center
Children's Memorial Flag Raising

Laura Terry releases a dove in memory of a child lost to child abuse.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 Monday, April 11, 2011 at 12:15pm, the CAC, in partnership with the City of Memphis and Shelby County Government, will present 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, will join  together with local civic leaders and community members to raise the Children's Memorial Flag. Mayor A C Wharton, Mayor Mark Luttrell, Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich, Nancy Williams, Executive Director of the CAC and others will issue a call to the community.

Representatives from the front lines of child protection will read the names of the lost children. The Memphis Police Department Color Guard will be there to 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."

Kelly Gonzales shares a poignant moment with her daughter Maddie.

To find out about other activities in the community during Child Abuse Prevention Month, go to www.MemphisStopsChildAbuse.org.