CAMCAC to hold virtual rally for Child Abuse Awareness Month
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and the Cooper-anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center plans to hold a virtual rally April 30 to educate, raise awareness and raise funds for a larger center in Benton.
“It is one of those things that people think if they don’t see it, it is not happening,” said Development Coordinator Holly Heer.
She added most people do not like to discuss abuse, but there is an ever growing need for awareness. People need to look for the signs so they can help those children.
Heer explained when the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline receives a report of child abuse it either goes to the Arkansas State Police or the Division of Human Services. Either can refer a case to CAMCAC.
When the case goes to
CAMCAC, the family receives an advocate who is with them through the entire case.
The child is interviewed is a safe, child friendly environment by a forensic interviewer who asked non-leading questions while prosecutors and police officers listen in from another room.
“Before CACS the multiple interviews and multiple exams added to the trauma of the child,” Heer said.
If needed, the child can receive a sexual assault nurse examination, also done in a child friendly space.
The child will also receive trauma based therapy until they turn 18. The family never pays for any of services.
CAMCAC has also creates and teaches prevention programs in the local schools where it serves. It is a body safety program called Empower Me.
They provide mandated reporter training to teach mandated reporters, like teachers, what to look for and how to handle it if a child discloses abuse.
CAMCAC serves six counties in Arkansas — Saline, Garland, Grant, Montgomery, Polk and Hot Spring.
In 2020 CAMCAC served 746 children.
It has served Saline since 2003. It opened a physical clinic in Saline in 2018 because of the large number of cases it was getting from the county.
Heer believes the COVID-19 pandemic has made abuse worse, especially physical abuse.
Before COVID-19, most of the cases it dealt with were sexual. In 2019, 19 percent of cases were physical. In 2020, 49 percent were physical.
She believes the increase relates to stressers caused by the pandemic, such as job loss and having to figure out how to homeschool children.
Heer said CAMCAC is a place where children can begin to heal.
CAMCAC is one of 17 Child Advocacy Centers in Arkansas.
Heer said some resources for people to learn the signs include whatifitoldyou.com and, startbybelieving.org and the state chapter www.cacarkansas.org.
During the virtual rally, supporters will hear from the parent of a victim who will discuss the process.
Arkansas First Lady Susanne Hutchinson, an advocate for CACS in the state, will speak.
The Mount St. Mary’s choir will perform.
Each year, CAMCAC awards the Patrick Mccruden Superhero Award to an outstanding worker for their service to children. It can go to anyone who takes part in the fight to help abuse and neglect victims. Last year, it went to Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Investigator Sarah Hobson.
There will also be a mobile silent auction. The auction link will go on the event page on Facebook prior to the event.
While Benton’s location only opened in 2018, it has already outgrown its space. The money raised is planned to be used for a larger space.
Heer pointed out the county is rapidly growing and with that, the number of calls CAMCAC receives.
CAMCAC is seeking sponsors for the rally. Sponsorships range from $250 to $10,000. Anyone interested in a sponsorship or making a donation for the silent auction can email Heer at Holly.heer@Mercy.net.
To register for the rally, supporters can visit https://mercyhealthfoundation.net/camcacrally/. To receive the link, a person needs to make a donation of at least $25.
Heer hopes next year the rally will be able to be in person.
She encourages the community to virtually attend the rally and learn more about the work being done for children in the community.