Every Handprint Has A Story: April Proclaimed Child Abuse Awareness Month
by Stephanie Baker
Community members and advocates gathered at the Levee in downtown Clarksville on Tuesday, April 1, to spread awareness about child abuse, a local issue affecting children in the community.
In 2024, Johnson County had 214 child abuse investigations, 33 children in foster care, and 13 foster homes, according to the awareness signs posted at the Levee and around town.
Marilyn Sanders, executive director of the River Valley Child Advocacy Center (RVCAC), began the event by sharing a story of a young girl who had experienced sexual abuse and decided to disclose the abuse to her mother, leading to other victims of the abuser to also disclose past abuse.
“Because of her courage, his (the abuser’s) older daughters have now come forward, and said he sexually abused them the majority of their lives. That little girl coming forward gave the power to those older kids to come forward,” said Sanders.
The example was one of many stories of children who have experienced abuse in the community. Sanders emphasized this example as just one reason why awareness is so important.
“It’s up to us to empower kids and teach them that it’s OK to tell, and it’s not their fault. A lot of times they don’t want to ruin the family; but in not ruining the family, they are ruining themselves. We want to help these kids, but if it’s not reported, an investigation doesn’t happen, (and) they don’t get the help that they need,” she said.
Kerry Bewley, county coordinator of 100 Families, also shared how her experience working with child survivors has sparked a lifelong passion to serve those in need.
“I knew child abuse happened, but it didn’t happen here,” she said. “Who would abuse a child? They are the most sacred thing we have on this earth.”
Bewley said working as an advocate has opened her eyes to the need for a center dedicated to providing resources to child abuse victims.
“The quantity of the children I worked with had an impact on me, and knowing those were the ones who were brave enough to step forward, and there were so many more who hadn’t spoken out because they didn’t understand that they could,” she said.
“I understand the value of what the RVCAC does, because I know what it was like trying to serve the child victims in our community without it. They are filling this gap in the community, that most people don’t even know about.”
Clarksville Mayor David Rieder shared about his own childhood experience with neglect and abuse.
“I was raised as what you would call a ‘couch kid.’ It’s amazing what a kid can get used to and call normal that is actually abuse, from mental, physical, financial, to food,” he said…
The full story appears in the April 9 edition of The Graphic, found online and in businesses throughout Johnson and Franklin counties.
Photo: CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH–Clarksville Mayor David Rieder signed a proclamation on Tuesday, April 1, declaring April Child Abuse Awareness month. Attendees were encouraged to wear blue for awareness and to sign their name on the handprint of a child who had experienced abuse. Attending the proclamation signing were (from left) Diamond Brockett, Kim Mullins, Rieder, Erika Crisp, Olivia Haney, Caitlin Harrison and Macie Shepherd. –Graphic photo by Stephanie Baker
