Mayor Matt Gentry has declared April Child Abuse Prevention Month. The declaration was made on the same day that Sylvia’s Child Advocacy Center held its Prevent Child Abuse Town Hall. Sylvia’s CAC’s aim is the reduction of trauma to a child victim of abuse. The Child Advocacy Center allows young people the opportunity to tell their story, in a safe, comfortable and child-focused environment. Trained forensic interviewers ask age-appropriate and non-leading questions to children that have likely been through what Executive Director Kassie Frazier calls, “the worst day of their life.”
The child’s multi-disciplinary team of law enforcement, prosecutor’s office, child protective services, mental health provider, and victim advocate work together shepherd the child and his or her family toward the first steps of healing.
Proclamation 
WHEREAS, all citizens have a legal responsibility as individuals and a moral obligation as members of a community to ensure the well being of children; and
WHEREAS, the effects of child abuse are felt by whole communities and need to be addressed by the entire community; and
WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created among social service agencies, schools, religious and civic organizations, families, law enforcement agencies, and the business community; and
WHEREAS, all citizens should become more aware of the negative effects of child abuse and its prevention within the community, and should become involved in supporting parents to raise their children in a safe, nurturing environment; and
WHEREAS, the State of Indiana, through the Department of Child Services, continues to facilitate progress toward realizing the goal of protecting children and of providing high quality, uniform treatment services for these children and their families; and
WHEREAS, Lebanon City in Boone County, Indiana continues to promote a pro-active response to the problems of child abuse and neglect by supporting the efforts of such organizations as Healthy Families Boone County, Department of Child Services, Children’s Bureau, Community Partners for Child Safety, Sylvia’s Child Advocacy Center, CASA Boone County, and Prevent Child Abuse Boone County.
WHEREAS, it is imperative that we acquire a working knowledge of the phenomenon of child abuse and neglect and that we demonstrate support for work of both professionals and volunteers involved in providing child protection, rehabilitation, and prevention services;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Matt Gentry, as Mayor of Lebanon, Indiana do hereby proclaim April 2021 as
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
in the city of Lebanon Boone County, Indiana and call upon all citizens, community agencies, religious organizations, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation in our efforts to prevent child abuse, thereby strengthening the communities in which we live.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand this 12nd. day of April 2021.
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