Quapaw Nation hosts event to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month
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MIAMI, Okla. — April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month and a local tribe is doing its part to tackle the problem locally.
The Quapaw Nation Indian Child Welfare hosted the Honoring and Protecting our Children event Tuesday morning at the Coleman Theatre in Miami. It featured a panel of experts, including law enforcement, mental health leaders and non-profits working with kids who have been abused.
The goal of this event was to show the community how prevalent child abuse is in the Four States and what resources are available to those who maybe experiencing it.
“I hope they take away that they understand that they are that safe adult for children, they don’t have to be 100% right if they believe a child is being abused, but if they see that and think that a child maybe being abused that they can report that the authorities and let them go out and investigate that case,” said Matt Stewart with Children’s Center of SWMO.
“I think the main thing is if you’re being affected by domestic violence or if you’re a child and you’re being affected then to tell somebody, because even if the person you’re telling doesn’t know what to do, the chances are that they can get you help here in our community is a great example there’s so much help out there,” said Amy Mercer, Quapaw Counseling Services.
Organizers asked those who attended to wear the color blue to help stand in solidarity against child abuse. The color blue is often used as a symbol to remind people they are all individually responsible for protecting the children in their lives.
