April 03, 2012
Walk designed to raise awareness of child abuse
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The goal of this week’s No Longer Silenced National Child Abuse Prevention Month Awareness Walk at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is to raise awareness about abuse of children of all ages.
The walk is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, beginning at Grinnell Hall. Check-in starts at 1 p.m. and participants will walk one lap around campus, returning to Grinnell. No registration prior to the event is involved and this isn’t a fundraiser but rather an opportunity for people to show their concern and learn more about child abuse, organizers say.
Nicolette A. Winn, a junior psychology major and resident assistant for University Housing, said she drew the inspiration for the event from personal experience.
“I want to show abused children that they’re not alone and that people care about them. Often the media only depicts child abuse as occurring in small children and babies. I want to also recognize teen victims and let them know that they can get help and succeed,” Winn said.
The Women’s Center will also be on hand at the Residence Life event, distributing information. Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to participate in the walk.
For more information, contact Winn at n.winn@siu.edu.