Local government agencies have recently been recognizing April as Child Abuse Awareness month.
On Wednesday, April 13, Braxton County Sheriff Lou Dellamae and Regina Swecker, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocate, raised the Child Abuse Awareness Flag in front the Braxton County Courthouse.
Nationally, Children’s Memorial Flag Day will be recognized on April 22. Prior to the pandemic, Children’s Memorial Flag Day was a yearly event with a flag raising ceremony to honor the young lives lost due to violence. Individuals are encouraged to observe a moment of silence on April 22 in remembrance of the children who have lost their lives due to abusive situations.
On Thursday, April 14, Sutton Mayor JD Hoover signed a proclamation honoring the awareness month.
The first National Child Abuse Awareness month was declared by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. After four years, April was formally established as the Child Abuse Prevention month by President Ronald Reagan.
Every year, Child Abuse Awareness month is observed to recognize the efforts made by our communities and families in bringing up this issue in front of the world. During this month, as well as the whole year, citizens are encouraged to raise the issue of child abuse and the well-being of children in our communities and around the country.