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Stewards of Children Shifts Responsibility of Sexual Abuse Prevention from Children to Adults
by Beth Copeland, Contributing Editor
"If child sexual abuse were a virus or a more socially acceptable illness, there would be a public outcry about it," says Nickie Miller, Prevention Specialist at the Child Advocacy Center.
Miller, a registered nurse, is recruiting people in the community to participate in Prevent Now!, a collaborative initiative designed to look at child sexual abuse prevention from a different perspective. Up until now, child sexual abuse prevention programs focused on training children to protect themselves.
"We've made prevention the responsibility of the child when it should be the responsibility of the adult," Miller says. "Programs in schools, such as 'Stranger Danger' are inherently flawed because in 90% of child sexual abuse cases, the child knows the perpetrator. Even 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' programs deny that the touch may be a 'good' feeling for the child. The abuser takes time to groom the child and make the child feel special, becoming friends, so it's a gradual buildup, starting with slight touching and games. The child may have a trusting relationship with the adult and may enjoy the attention."
Prevent Now! is a community awareness model, created and taught by Darkness to Light and used by and in communities to engage the community and supporters and to move child sexual abuse prevention from a training-only model to a community-wide awareness and prevention model. The aim is to create a community where adults are actively working together to change a cultural norm - from one where child sexual abuse is shrouded in fear and denial and children are easy targets to one where every child is better protected throughout the community.
"The idea is that child sexual abuse is a shared responsibility," Miller says. "It's not just a problem that affects one portion of the population. It affects us all."
The goal is to prevent child sexual abuse by providing education to parents, schools, athletic programs, camps, religious programs, youth activities - wherever children are served. Miller plans to saturate the community with information to increase awareness of child sexual abuse.
"If 5% of the people in the population become aware, it creates a change in behavior and a cultural shift," Miller says. "The shift we're looking for is that child sexual abuse is not accepted and condoned in our community."
Miller states that for every adult in Cumberland County who is trained to recognize signs of child sexual abuse and to respond appropriately to suspicions and reports, ten children will be better protected. Her goal is to train 11,820 adults, which will potentially protect 118,200 children.
Some strategies for protecting children at child-serving facilities or organizations include screening all potential staff, volunteers, and visitors; establishing and observing appropriate rules of behavior and policies; making sure that grounds and buildings are safe and secure; and having policies in place for responding to children's sexual abuse disclosures. Miller recommends that parents avoid placing children in one-on-one situations with adults and that private counseling and instruction should always take place with an open door. It is also important to recognize that abuse can happen anywhere and the abuser could be someone who is respected in the community.
"Predators are likeable people. There is no way to tell that someone is going to be a child predator," Miller says. "A perpetrator is not a dangerous man in a black trench coat. The abuser is usually someone the child knows and loves.
Because of its nature, child sexual abuse is seldom reported.
"Children rarely report," Miller says, "and when they do, they aren't believed. Prevention is the key, being open to listening to our children and believing them."
Through a grant from the Cumberland Community Foundation the Child Advocacy Center is able to implement Prevent Now! in our community. |
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Volunteer Spotlight
By Faith Boehmer, Volunteer Coordinator
"Voices of Christmas", was the advent theme for Lafayette Baptist Church this past Christmas season and Dr. Clella Lee, Pastor of Music and Worship felt that the mission of the Child Advocacy Center tied in perfectly with the Church's Advent Theme. There are many voices in our world that can become overlooked and perhaps even neglected. The voice of a child experiencing the pain and fear of abuse is one of those voices. Clella stated "This partnership will bring together a sense of call for the church to be involved in their community."
For one church member, Harry Whisnant, it was a call of involvement to make a difference today. At the same time it was a reminder of the many years he worked as a probation officer seeing firsthand the choices many of his probationers made that impacted their families, their children or other people they associated with.
Harry had spent 25 years as a probation officer in Cumberland County. "I was on the other side of the issue. I was in the homes and saw the violence." Countless days were spent personally checking in on his probationers, and naturally, when he made home visits he would meet the families that had been impacted. Through those encounters he developed relationships with the children that were in the homes. Drawn to their plight, he often purchased items such as candy and toys. Once he even bought a young boy a fishing pole to brighten his day.
Years later many of Harry's probationers, as well as some of their children stay in contact with him. Some have shared how the 'lessons of life' he taught them have made a difference in who they are today.
Harry and his wife made four "Linus" Comfort Blankets for the children that are served by the Child Advocacy Center as part of their Church's Advent project. The Whisnant's know that they will never meet the children that received their blankets but they know how much joy it will bring. Harry's words really sum up what it means to give back. "Whatever a person can give will mean so much to a child. We have no idea what a difference it will make. Money or items we can give can impact today and perhaps into the future." |
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 Pinwheels for Prevention
by Roberta Humphries, Executive Director
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and this year the Child Advocacy Center joins with Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina to promote the blue pinwheels. The pinwheel is reflective of the bright future all children deserve and our belief that getting it right early is less costly than trying to fix it later. This month we focus on programs and activities that support families and public policies that prioritize prevention right from the start to make sure that child abuse and neglect never occur. This month and throughout the year, the Child Advocacy Center encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Cumberland County/Fort Bragg a better place for families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect. Stop by the Center during April and see the bright blue pinwheels that represent the 525 child victims of abuse that were served by the Child Advocacy Center during 2010. You can also come by and purchase a pinwheel for $1.00 and plant it at the CAC in honor of a special child in your life, representing their bright future. April is a great time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children. Everyone's participation is critical. |
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The Child Advocacy Center Welcomes Five New Board Members
The Child Advocacy Center is thrilled to announce that five new members have joined its Board of Directors. These new members will serve three-year terms beginning January 2011.
 Melanie Erwin is a Commercial Banker with First Citizens Bank and has been employed there since 2004. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University and regularly volunteers with her church, Highland Presbyterian Church.
 Deanne Robinson-Blue is Vice President, District Manager for Wachovia Bank/A Wells Fargo Company. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland. She has previously served on the CAC Development Committee and also on the Board of Directors for March of Dimes and FSU Foundation.
 Amy Perko is the Executive Director of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Richmond. She is an active member of the Fayetteville community and serves as the Middle School basketball coach at the Fayetteville Academy, member of the Women's Giving Circle of Fayetteville and past president of the Board of Directors for the Partnership for Children of CC.
 Dr. Sreelekha Sashidhar is a Pediatrician and owner of Cape Center Pediatrics, PA. She has been practicing General Pediatrics in Fayetteville since 1996. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the NC Medical Society. She has a personal interest in Children's Health and Developmental issues.
 Buntie Russ, J.D., recently retired from the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office after serving as the Deputy Assistant District Attorney for the 12th Prosecutorial District. Ms. Russ is one of the founders of the Child Advocacy Center and is a strong advocate for children in our community. She has served on the boards for the Department of Social Services and CEED (formerly the Women's Center). She has provided training to members of the CAC's Multi-disciplinary Team and is very involved in children's issues.
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Announcements
CAC Organization Endowment Fund
The Board of Directors of the Child Advocacy Center has created an Organization Endowment at the Cumberland Community Foundation. Show your lasting support of the Child Advocacy Center by contributing to the Child Advocacy Center Endowment.
Donations to the Endowment Fund may be sent directly to the Cumberland Community Foundation for the Child Advocacy Center Endowment.
Speakers' Bureau
As you plan your year of speakers for civic, faith and community organizations, don't forget the CAC has a group of volunteers who are eager to speak on the problem of child abuse and what individuals can do to prevent and stop it. Please call the center at 486-9700 to schedule a speaker.
Help Us Go Green!
 Check out the Child Advocacy Center on Facebook and register to be a fan. Forward our page to your facebook friends.
CAC Wish list - Please help!
*Bottled water
*Juice Boxes
*Individually wrapped snack items for children
*Travel size hygiene items
*Comfort items - new teddy bears, dolls, etc
*Children's books, magazines
*Children's DVDs or WII Games
Canned Soda
Powdered creamer and sugar
Coffee
Hot and cold drink cups
Paper plates
Tri-fold paper towels for dispenser or paper towel rolls
Gift cards to grocery store or office supply store
Copy paper 8 ½ X 11
Post-it notes
Air purifier
Stand fan
* Items especially needed for our children
Turn your Grocery Shopping into a Fundraiser for the CAC
Register your Food Lion MVP card to support the Child Advocacy Center and get a chance to win free groceries every time you shop! Food Lion's program, MVP Community Rewards, is a free, easy way for you to provide the CAC with much-needed donations.
To learn more and sign up, visit www.foodlionmvprewards.com, click on "Shoppers Register Here," and enter your 12-digit MVP card number and our Organization Code 252043. All supporters must register, even if you have previously registered for other programs. |
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Thank you to the following organizations and individuals for their support...
 The Surf Girls, a local Christian service organization for pre-teen girls in Fayetteville for making blankets for the children who come to the CAC. Pictured are some of the blankets they made.
Lafayette Baptist Church for choosing to partner with the CAC during the Advent Season. Through collaborative efforts of small groups and individuals they provided the CAC with 50 Incentive Bags for children, 115 "Linus" Blankets and 20 gift cards. The Splitz Trac, a part of the youth ministry, planned and implemented a "coffee house" musical and raised $1000 for the CAC Therapy Dog Mural.
Pictured are (front row) Faith Boehmer, Hannah Boehmer, Emily Comer, Robin McDonald, Judge Beth Keever and (back row) Steve Branch, Clella Lee, Brian Lee, and Roberta Humphries.
Parkers Grove United Methodist Church Women's Group for decorating the CAC for Christmas.
The Pilot Club for volunteering numerous hours to label our end-of-year letter, newsletters and invitations to the American Girl Fashion Show.
Eco Water of the South for adopting two of our families for the Holidays and giving the children a Christmas they will never forget.
Thank you to the following groups that collected items for the children over the holidays: Haymount United Methodist Church, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Preschool, Building Blocks Daycare (Raeford & Hope Mills Road sites), the Chamber of Commerce Fayetteville Leadership Class, and Hope Mills Presbyterian Church Youth Group.
In lieu of receiving birthday presents for themselves sisters Julia Lowe, age 9, and Caroline Lowe, age 7, asked their guests to bring presents for the Child Advocacy Center instead. We are so thankful for these two young girls who truly exemplify what it means to reach out and help others in their community. The items collected will go to the children who come to the Center to make their visit here a little less stressful and for use at the Center.
... and all our individual donors and supporters who help us provide the very best services to the children of our community. |
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What We Do
The primary mission of the Child Advocacy Center is to mobilize effective collaborative community responses to child abuse. The CAC provides a safe and child-friendly place where 19 community agencies come together to interview, investigate and provide support for abused children. During 2010, our center served 525 children and their families and, by our coordinating efforts, saved the community more than $500,000.
2011 Board of Directors and Staff
Board of Directors
Rosemary Zimmerman, Chairperson
The Honorable Elizabeth Keever, Vice Chairperson
Neil Bergman, Treasurer
Taylor Stephens, Secretary
Kenneth Barefoot
Linda Braswell
Marcus Cox
Marge Dederick
The Honorable Laura A. Devan
Kensley Edge
Tim Edwards, J.D
Melanie Erwin
The Honorable Claire Hill
Debbie Jenkins, DCSW
Lucy Jones
Bradley J. Loase
Howard Loughlin, M.D.
Michael Nagowski
Angela Neal
Amy Perko
Deanne Robinson-Blue
Buntie Russ, J.D.
Sreelekha Sashidhar, M.D.
Wendy Vonnegut, Esq.
Carolyn Zahran
Staff
Roberta Humphries, Executive Director, MDT Facilitator
Jackie Davis, Case Data/Finance Manager
Megan Fitzgerald, Victim/Family Advocate
Faith Boehmer, Volunteer Coordinator
Jan Rogers, Forensic Interviewer
Kelly Blake, Program Assistant |
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