Community Partners Host Annual Child Abuse Prevention Symposium
Symposium Promoting End of Abuse and Neglect to Be Held April 15
MACON, GA (Thursday, April 7, 2016) - Each April - in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month - Crescent House, Atrium Health Navicent encourages discussion of this important issue through an annual Child Abuse Prevention Symposium.
The Child Abuse Prevention Symposium, scheduled Wednesday, April 13 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., will take place at The Medical Center, Navicent Health's Peyton Anderson Health Education Center, located at 877 Hemlock Street in Macon.
Topics at this year's symposium include medical evaluations, child abuse investigations and Stewards Of Children. The keynote message will be “The Connection Between Child Abuse, Family Violence and Animal Cruelty.”
This event is open to the public. Law enforcement, social workers, medical professionals and educators are particularly encouraged to attend. Participants may register at navicenthealth.org ($20 registration fee).
The Honorable Robert A.B. Reichert, Mayor of Macon-Bibb County, will read a proclamation at 8:45 a.m. declaring the consolidated government's commitment to support children and families by ending the cycle of abuse and neglect.
“April is a time to recognize that each member of the community has a role in promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of children and families. Ending the cycle of abuse and neglect is an effort that requires the vigilance of all members of our community. Crescent House and Atrium Health Navicent are pleased to partner with Macon-Bibb County, as well as the Board of Education, Department of Family and Children's Services, District Attorney's Office, local law enforcement and public safety agencies and healthcare organizations to address this issue,” said Kemberlie Sanderson, Director of Crescent House, Navicent Health.
Since beginning services in 1997, Crescent House, Atrium Health Navicent - a children's advocacy center designed to meet the needs of children who have made allegations of abuse - has cared for more than 10,000 children. Crescent House is not a shelter but a facility supplied with state-of-the-art equipment that enables specially trained professionals to conduct effective, consistent, non-threatening interviews and examinations of children who have made these allegations. It is a “one-stop shop,” utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach to the investigation, treatment and prevention of child abuse.
Exchange Club of Macon and Crescent House partner to sponsor the annual Child Abuse Prevention Symposium.