March 30, 2019 | Source: EverythingLubbock.com
Business, government, and nonprofit representatives from around the community kicked off Go Blue Lubbock [Friday] morning at the FirstBank & Trust Conference Center. Go Blue Lubbock is a county-wide project to promote child abuse awareness and prevention. The kickoff is the first of many events taking place across the South Plains [in April] aimed at shining a light on child abuse. April is recognized as National Child Abuse Awareness Month. Although some progress has been made, the child abuse and neglect rates in Lubbock County are nearly double the state average with an average of three children becoming confirmed victims every day. Last year there was one fatality and 1,126 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect recorded by the Department of Family and Protective Services in Lubbock County. The majority of victims were under the age of six.
Lubbock City Council Member Latrelle Joy and Lubbock County Commissioner Bill McKay each presented proclamations officially recognizing April as Child Abuse Awareness Month. Lubbock Police Chief Greg Stevens and Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney Sunshine Stanek also made presentations.
Stanek told the crowd, “There are certain groups in this society that demand our attention. It’s the very old and the physically handicapped and the mentally challenged and the children – the ones who cannot stand up for themselves. These groups demand a stronger sense of community activism than what we pour into other parts of our community.”
A “Cherish the Children” award was presented to Carolyn Simpson, Community Impact Associate at Lubbock Area United Way. This award is presented annually by the South Plains Coalition for Child Abuse Prevention (SPCCAP) in recognition of local individuals who go above and beyond in their work and advocacy efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Blue ribbons were handed out at the event, which was co-sponsored by the SPCCAP, Lubbock Area United Way, and the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. These ribbons serve as a reminder to remember the children affected daily by child abuse and neglect. Ribbons are available at the Lubbock Area United Way office. Please call 806.747.2711 for more information. In addition, a ribbon cutting was provided by the Chamber Ambassadors.
Go Blue Lubbock was started six years ago by SPCCAP with the goal of promoting awareness and showing support for child abuse prevention. The public is invited to join this effort by wearing blue on Fridays during April and sharing with the tag #GoBlueLubbock and by participating in the many events hosted by SPCCAP and its partnering agencies. For more information on these events visit liveunitedlubbock.org.