April is recognized nationally
as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Please take a moment to look at the different
campaigns that Prevent Child Abuse Ohio and our Statewide Network Members
offer to highlight public awareness activities to raise knowledge on child
abuse and neglect.
A brief history of the Blue
Ribbon Campaign
In the spring of 1989, Bonnie Finney, a Norfolk, Virginia grandmother,
took a stand against child abuse when she tied a symbolic ribbon to
her van. It was a signal to her community of personal commitment to
involve everyone in the battle to stop child abuse. Bonnie’s own
grandson, Michael Wayne “Bubba” Dickenson, was a tragic
victim of child abuse. His death gave her blue ribbon its own inspiring
message. In her words….
“The blue ribbon serves as a constant reminder to fight for protection
for our children. We must protect our most precious gift of all…our
children. Please wear a blue ribbon…put one on your car...give
one to your friends….tell them what it means…you may save
a child’s life!
The spirit of her Blue Ribbon grew until it inspired a statewide community-based
effort to prevent and stop child abuse in every town, city, and country.
Can one person make a difference? Bonnie Finney did! And you can too!
Protecting
Ohio’s Children – Annual Conference On Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention
If you are interested in learning more about our annual conference, Protecting Ohio's Children - Together we can prevent child abuse and neglect, please click here.
2nd Annual Raise Your Voice Award - Nominations Currently Being Accepted!
The Center for Child and Family Advocacy and Prevent Child Abuse Ohio are pleased to announce that we are currently accepting nominations for the 2nd Annual Raise Your Voice Award.
Raise Your Voice is a public service campaign of the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Raise Your Voice encourages everyone to take action and raise your voice to protect a child by making a confidential phone call to Child Protective Services in your area.
April is designated as Child Abuse and Prevention Month. However, we want to encourage everyone to take a stand against child maltreatment every day. With your help in recognizing an outstanding individual in your area, we can jointly promote our commitment to the safety of all Ohio's children.
Eligible candidates are people who take the time to protect a child. This may be a neighbor or babysitter who observes suspected child maltreatment or neglect, a child with frequent bruises, or a child who exhibits signs of abuse or neglect. Any person who cares enough to take the time to protect a child is a potential Raise Your Voice Honoree. This is our collective way to encourage people to get involved. Your recognition of someone in your community raised visibility for children and may encourage the next person to "Raise Your Voice."
Nominations may be submitted electronically to the committee at pcao@nationwidechildrens.org, fax at (614) 722-8420 or mail to Prevent Child Abuse Ohio, 655 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43205 and must be received by 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 31, 2008.
If you would like to view and print a copy of the nomination flyer and application, please click here!
If you have any questions regarding the Raise Your Voice award, please contact Prevent Child Abuse Ohio at pcao@nationwidechildrens.org or (614) 722-6800.
