A message from the Anderson County Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County
EDITOR:
We shelter in place because — even if we are healthy — we know we’re doing our part to protect the vulnerable.
But there is an unseen vulnerable population right now: our children.
The Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County has always relied on teachers, therapists and guidance counselors to alert us of situations of physical and sexual abuse, but those safety nets have now disappeared.
We know it’s uncomfortable to think about. We know it’s always hard to hear, but especially hard now, since we all have so much more uncertainty and anxiety than normal.
But we need you to hear us. And we need you to remember us. We need you to pray for the children who are now sheltering in place with their abusers and have no way to escape or get help.
Joe Torre, former manager of the New York Yankees, wrote about this exact issue today on CNN.
“With so many young Americans staying in or close to their homes during this crisis, we can expect that many children will witness violence in their homes,” he writes.
“In fact, research of past crises indicates that the number of incidents and the intensity of domestic violence and child abuse often increase during the most stressful of times.”
We are hosting a lot of meetings virtually, and are doing everything we can to continue our services.
But it’s hard, friends. Our planned fundraisers are now on hold. Our staff is struggling with juggling childcare and work, just like everyone else.
We ask that you remember us, pray for us and the children we serve, and consider making a donation now or in the future. We desperately need to be able to continue the work of being a voice for the voiceless, the hope for the hopeless, and the advocates for the most vulnerable.
Thank you,
Anderson County Child Advocacy Center
