The Child Advocacy Center is planning several events surrounding its annual “19 Days of Prevention” campaign, raising awareness around child abuse and prevention.

“On the heels of yet another successful Pinwheel Masquerade Ball & Auction in October, we’re proud to launch our annual ‘19 Days of Prevention’ campaign in November,” said CAC Executive Director Roberta Humphries.

“Our goals with this unique campaign are twofold: to encourage general awareness about child abuse and prevention and to educate the community about the many ways our organization works hand-in-hand with other crucial agencies to address these issues,” Humphries said.

Kicking off the campaign will be the “19 Days of Prevention Art Contest Reception” on Nov. 2.
The CAC collaborated with the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County to recruit art-contest submissions inspired by the theme of “showing kindness to your neighbor.” The winners of this contest will be announced at the reception.

The next event CAC is planning is the “19 Days of Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon,” which is open to the public at the Kiwanis Recreation Center on Nov. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
At this luncheon, sponsored by the Exchange Club of Greater Fayetteville, CAC will be recognizing various agencies and businesses in the community that have received their “Partner in Prevention Seal.”

This special seal is only awarded to those agencies and businesses whose staff (90% or more) has completed the “Stewards of Children Sexual Abuse” training.
Attendees of the luncheon will also hear from Lilly, a young woman and survivor-leader in the anti-human trafficking movement. According to CAC, Lilly “uses her lived experience of human trafficking to educate and support local communities and partners by advocating for change.”

Yet another initiative planned for November is the CAC’s “Body Safety Classes.” These classes will be presented in community childcare facilities, where children will learn five rules for body safety: “1) know what’s up, 2) look for red flags, 3) make a move, 4) talk it up, and 5) no blame! no shame!”

Preschoolers will also have books read to them: “No Means No!” by Jayneen Sanders and “Some Parts Are Not for Sharing” by Julie Federico.
To schedule a class at a childcare facility, interested parties may request a training by going to the CAC’s website at https://www.cacfaync.org/what-we-do/community-outreach-education/body-safety-class.html.

“As the CAC heads into celebrating our 30th anniversary next year, we’re more dedicated than ever to our mission,” Humphries expresses, “and we genuinely hope the public will join us in participating in and spreading the word about our ‘19 Days of Prevention’ campaign this November.”