Don’t let those blue lights on the downtown Market House throw you.
The old historic structure will be aglow with a reminder that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and every child deserves to grow up in a safe and secure environment.
Anything less is not acceptable.
“Child abuse prevention is not a one-month conversation,” said John Webster, 58, executive director of the Child Advocacy Center. “It is a year-round commitment that requires all of us.”
Founded in 1992, the nonprofit is kicking off its annual Pinwheel Planting Ceremony at noon on Wednesday at the CAC office at 222 Rowan St. Webster invited several Cumberland County officials to take part, including state Sen. Val Applewhite; Brenda Jackson, director of the county’s Department of Social Services; Assistant District Attorney Kara Hodges; Sheriff Jonathan Morgan; former county Public Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green, and Commissioner Glenn Adams.
Webster has seen his share of child abuse.
He has worked as a child protective investigator with the Harnett County Department of Social Services. He has worked with Wake County Human Services and been a supervisor with the N.C. Guardian ad Litem program for a three-county judicial district, and was manager of adoptions and foster care for the Johnston County Department of Social Services before coming to the CAC in June 2024.
‘Healing and Hope’
Webster is a laid-back and easy-going fellow, but when it comes to child abuse, he’s all business.
“Last year, the CAC interviewed 531 children who were alleged to have been abused” sexually, physically, or victims of human trafficking, Webster said Monday. “We provided direct trauma-focused, evidence-based therapy to well over 100 of these children and teens. While I am thrilled to be able to provide these services to the Cumberland County community, I am determined to do more to prevent child abuse so we can be less ‘reactive’ and more ‘proactive’ in reducing the numbers of children who are abused in our local area each year.
“This comes through education, awareness, and programs designed to educate our community as a whole on how all of us can and should do our part to protect the most vulnerable citizens in our community—our children and teenagers.
“As a community, we need to provide families access to basic need items such as food, housing, health care, and child care,” Webster said. “We also want families to have significant and trustworthy support networks to include other family members, friends, and caring and supportive neighbors. I believe in the work and influence of the CAC, and I am committed to doing even more in the coming year to spread the word about the work we do and also to educate the community on practical ways they can help in this battle. With the support of the community and local, state, and federal leaders, the CAC can continue to be a place of healing and hope for the many children and teenagers who need us.”
You can’t say it much better.
But it takes a village, and the CAC can’t do it alone. It takes a village, and beyond the village. It takes all of us when we see or hear of child abuse in this community. If you see something, say something. If you hear something, say something.
Epilogue
So, look for twirling pinwheels in the wind this month and a community bathed in blue.
“We’re doing something a bit different this year,” Webster said. “We are asking folks in the community to light it up blue to raise awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Market House and City Hall will be blue from April 1-10. The tower at Bordeaux Shopping Center will be blue from April 9-16, and the CAC will have some blue lighting as well during the month of April.”
You can be a part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, too. Pinwheel kits and yard signs can be purchased through the CAC website or by calling 910-486-9700.
Other events include Wear Blue Day on April 10, where residents are encouraged to wear blue attire and share photos on social media with the hashtag #WearBlueDay in support of child abuse prevention and awareness. And a Child Abuse Prevention Summit is scheduled from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on April 16 at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, where community leaders will gather to demonstrate their commitment to protecting children and young people from abuse.
Take it from John Webster and the 24-member CAC board of directors led by Julie Lee-Jacobs. One abused child or teenager is one child and one teenager too many. And at the CAC, the work is not “just about responding to abuse.” It is about preventing child abuse, interrupting cycles of harm, and building a stronger, safer community for generations to come.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
We’re nearing our fourth year of CityView Today, and so many of you have been with us from day one in our efforts to bring the news of the city, county, community and Cape Fear region each day. We’re here with a purpose to deliver the news that matters to you.
