Child abuse awareness group hopes to educate with march, carnival
- The march starts at 11 a.m. April 25 at Lexington’s Patrick Tierney Harbor Park, at the end of Huron Avenue and Simons Street.
- The carnival and other events run from noon to 5 p.m. at the Lexington Community Center, 6964 Huron Ave.
- To reserve tables at the event, or for other information, contact organizers Ann Livingston (810) 986-0841 or Kristin Hartway (810) 922-4725.
- For more about Dreamcatchers, visit http://on.fb.me/1DZDcHm.
Sandra Potter never thought her family could be affected by child sexual abuse until her own daughter was victimized.
“It was life-altering. It affected everyone in my family,” she said.
When her daughter’s abuser was released from prison, the Peck resident in 2006 founded Dreamcatchers for Abused Children, a non-profit organization that has reached 5 million viewers through their website and other social media, according to Potter.
“I tried to reach out to parents and educate them on the signs I did not see,” she said. “Child sexual abuse can happen to absolutely anybody. It’s not discriminatory at all.”
Dreamcatchers will have its annual March Against Child Abuse April 25 in Lexington, featuring speakers and information booths on topics including children’s rights, child trafficking and missing and exploited children.
Information on teen suicide prevention, bullying, online safety, pedophiles and sex offenders will also be available.
New this year is a domestic violence education and awareness booth with information on shelters, hotlines and other resources.
The organization hopes to lower child abuse statistics through public education campaigns and the distribution of educational materials.
Free child identification kits will be available as well as age-appropriate coloring books on child sex abuse.
“Our goal is to raise awareness and bring the community together. It’s important that we all work together to help save a child,” Potter said.
Participants in the march are asked to meet at 11 a.m. at Lexington’s Patrick Tierney Harbor Park. A short opening ceremony with guest speakers is scheduled, followed by a march in downtown Lexington that will last until about noon.
Speakers include Ann Livingston, a domestic violence survivor and advocate, and Jim Jones, former Port Huron police captain and associate professor for criminal justice at St. Clair County Community College.
Jones was one of the detectives involved in the case of Port Huron toddler Braylon Gonzales 10 years ago. He said this year’s march is of particular importance to him in memory of Braylon’s tragic death.
“He was murdered at the hands of his father in Port Huron 10 years ago this summer. It’s one of those cases I’ll never forget and it certainly alerted our area to the horrors of child abuse and neglect,” Jones said.
“The most progressive way of trying to end this problem is to inform citizens about its significance.”
After the march there will be carnival games and prizes with children’s indoor and outdoor activities.
There will also be a mom-to-mom sale, bake sale and raffle drawing.
Contact Syeda Ferguson at (810) 989-6276 or email her at syeda@thetimesherald.com. Follow her on Twitter @shossainfe.
IF YOU GO
March Against Child Abuse
•The march starts at 11 a.m. April 25 at Lexington’s Patrick Tierney Harbor Park, at the end of Huron Avenue and Simons Street.
•The carnival and other events run from noon to 5 p.m. at the Lexington Community Center, 6964 Huron Ave.
•To reserve tables at the event, or for other information, contact organizers Ann Livingston (810) 986-0841 or Kristin Hartway (810) 922-4725.
•For more about Dreamcatchers, visit http://on.fb.me/1DZDcHm.