It should never hurt to be a child. But, too often, it does.

According to information released by the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds. Five children die every day as a result of child abuse.

The numbers are staggering, said Camille Downing, Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center director. 

“At the Pike Regional CAC alone last year, 180 child abuse cases came through the center,” Downing said. “We have to find ways to stop child abuse and the best way is to prevent it before it starts.

“The month of April is designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month and we have activities planned to increase the awareness of child abuse during the month, but we work diligently throughout the year to prevent child abuse. Awareness is the key.”

The Pike Regional CAC at 118 West Orange Street in Troy will kick off Child Abuse Awareness Month 2018 with Open House at the center at 11 a.m. on Monday. The public is invited.

Downing said the mayors of the local municipalities have signed a proclamation declaring the month of April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Pike County. Those who participate in the Open House activities will be given a tour of the CAC and have an opportunity to purchase items in support of the local CAC.

“We work throughout the year to increase awareness of child abuse through a variety of services,” Downing said. “In overall services to the schools in Pike County, Enterprise, Barbour County and Union Springs, we serve more than 3,000 students each year. Those numbers are a good indication as to how important our annual fundraising campaign is to continuing to serve the children in these schools.”

Downing said all proceeds from the sale of Child Abuse Prevention Month items will benefit child abuse victims in the Barbour, Bullock, Coffee and Pike County area.

“We will have pinwheels, T-shirts and door ribbons available for purchase at Open House,” she said.

The pinwheels are sold in packets that include yard signs and are priced according to the number of pinwheels. Door ribbons are $10 and T-shirts, long and short sleeves, and all sizes are $15.

“We are asking that business employees and individuals wear their Child Abuse Prevention T-shirts on April 13, which is the local Child Abuse Prevention Day and a also each Friday in April to raise awareness of child abuse and the importance of preventing abuse to children.”