Roughly 70 people attended Black River Technical College’s (BRTC) annual Child Abuse Awareness event.
BRTC Social Science Instructor Rachel Koons welcomed attendees and introduced Law Enforcement Training Academy Instructor Ashley Boles who read statistics of child abuse in Northeast Arkansas.
“In Northeast Arkansas alone, there were 3,535 reports of child maltreatment. Five hundred and two of those were found to be true,” Boles said. “In 2023 alone, in Arkansas 27 innocent children lost their lives as a result of child abuse.”
Two child abuse survivors shared their own experiences as victims of child abuse and a video of other survivors explaining the importance of advocacy centers was played.
The Randolph County chapter President of Warriors Empowering Children David White spoke to the audience about services the motorcycle club offers victims of child abuse. The club empowers victims to speak their stories while protecting them from feeling any more harm than necessary.
“Child abuse victims are traumatized every single time they tell their stories, so the club tries to make them feel as safe as possible by surrounding them with love and protection throughout their trials,” said White.
BRTC Phi Theta Kappa members sold bracelets and lapel pins, and gathered donations of stuffed animals, child-size luggage, and blankets for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) during the event.
The event ended with attendees planting blue pinwheels on the BRTC lawn in honor of child abuse victims and children who have lost their lives due to abuse.
“This year’s event seemed extra special and we had an awesome turnout! Seeing so many people coming out to support and raise awareness for such a special cause means the world to us. The statistics surrounding child abuse in Arkansas are extremely concerning and more events like ours should be held throughout the state,” said event organizer Koons.
More photos can be found @ https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBojhB.
For more information about BRTC, visit blackrivertech.edu.