Long-Term Commitment

 

The Child Abuse Survivor Monument Project is working with agencies, professional associations, Government bodies and individuals to promote and coordinate an annual Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in Canada.

An early goal of The Survivor Monument Project was to popularize a National Child Abuse Awareness Month across Canada. IOF Foresters have promoted October as Child Abuse Awareness Month; the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) have had the Purple Ribbon Campaign for Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention in October and other juristicitions have had commitments to a variety of annual Child Abuse Awareness days, weeks or months. National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month

The Child Welfare League of Canada (CWLC) and the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and many other organizations are expanding the October Purple Ribbon Campaign for Child Abuse Awareness Month in Ontario to a National scale.

Neglect is being specifically mentioned in the title of the awareness month to help people understand that neglect is a form of abuse with impacts as dramatic as physical abuse and other forms of child abuse.

Fountain of Youth

Fountain of youth
Help us speak the truth.

My pain inside is so real
Fountain of youth, help me heal.

Use your voice that's what it's for.
Speak your mind and thank the Lord.
Time will heal your precious heart
Break the silence and make a new start.

Derrick

The PAIN
of my childhood
is todays WOMAN
Shelia

As Parents you kept your
children safe from the evil
that haunted your lives,
Mom and Dad thank you
for teaching me to love.
Todd

My father was abused and I
wasn't. The cycle stopped.
The dawn of a new generation,
The dawn of new hope.
Let tommorow's sun set
on an era of peace.
Zachary

TIME IS ON OUR SIDE
Phil

Silent

Can I be brave enough to speak now?
Do you see me? Will you hear me?
Can I learn to sing?
Will I speak the name?
I have been silent so long
But I am a survivor
I am not dead.
I live.

Barbara

Dear Jackson

Don’t ever forget my love
I do this for you more than for me
We were so very little
You more innocent than me
I still see your beautiful eyes,
dancing, still light & joy there,
mine already gone.
I’m so sorry Jackson
little 5 year old boy,
Your memory will be made immortal now
DON’T EVER FORGET LOVE.

Jude

The objectives of the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month is to educate the Canadian public and service organizations on issues of child abuse and neglect, child abuse and neglect prevention. Local and national agencies, professional bodies, individuals, community groups and the media can highlight and rally around concerns related to child abuse and neglect. The Survivor Monument Project also has a commitment to concerns related to the recovery process and needs for adult victims of child abuse.

"Reaching Out" Launch and Unveiling

The promotion for the final unveiling of the "Reaching Out" Monument, will likewise promote the annual National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. “Reaching Out” will be positioned as the traditional site for an annual activities launching National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAS) has had previous success with distributing material at an Air Canada Centre event in the month of October.

Drum March to Break the Silence and Cycle

The Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships has in conjunction with the Child Abuse Survivor Monument Project and the Air Canada Centre organized an Annual March of Drums -- Break the Silence and the Cycle of Child Abuse -- to make drums, march and drum together and support the fight against child abuse, culminating at the Air Canada Centre in a presentation of hand outlines and messages for inclusion in the "Reaching Out" Monument.

"Reaching Out" as Awareness Catalyst

The "Reaching Out" Monument's role in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month would be dedicated to preventing further abuse of children and to improving the quality of life for those who have been abused.

The information, resources and momentum generated in the one year Child Abuse Survivor Monument Project education and awareness campaign can be continued through a yearly Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. Additionally, the material from the What Needs To Be Known Forum will be available as a resource and working model for future Annual Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Months.

Expectation of Change

There is much reason for hope in expecting child abuse and child sexual abuse concerns to improve. When viewed historically, the twentieth century has seen changes of revolutionary and unprecedented proportions in the improved treatment and care of children.

"Wasting away," or death by emotional neglect, was at one time in Europe the reason for half of child deaths before the age of two and in this century has nearly vanished.

Junkets for the procurement of child sex are internationally becoming legislated crimes that cannot hide behind the crossing of national borders.

Children are no longer seen as property, and social attitudes have made the protection of children a priority.

There is still a great distance that we have to go to see the universal safety and well being of children a reality. Children do get physically and sexually abused today.

Education, public awareness and social pressure are likely going to be the most effective actions to abolish the lingering scourge of child abuse.

Impact of Awareness

Changing public perception and attitudes about child abuse can have a significant impact on the degree of eventual wounds associated with being sexually abused.

Clinical work and research has shown that there is more likelihood of healthy recovery and resiliency when there is acknowledgment of the wrong committed and validation of the innocence of the victim by those around them -- family and community alike.

A direct negative response is seen in increased symptoms when the child sexual abuse victim is ignored, shunned, blamed or confronted with denial. The degree of blaming the victim can have a greater impact on the wounding of sexual assault than the initial sexual violation itself. Blaming and denial hurts and is highly unfair.

When people are more knowledgeable about the issues of abuse an informed response can honestly and compassionately say to a victim, "I'm sorry this happened. It's not your fault. You did not deserve it."

An authentic concern can do much to turn around the violation of a terrible wrong. Becoming aware and knowing how to respond appropriately is society's responsibility in helping to alleviate the degree of the wounds resulting from child abuse.

Long-Term Commitment

Much concerted effort is required to educate the public on the concerns of child abuse and child sexual abuse. Clarifying misunderstandings and prejudices is going to take repeated efforts. The enormous need for public education on abuse issues calls out for an Annual Child Abuse Awareness Month.