4 FRIDAY. APRIL 6- MONDAY APRIL 9, 2012 NEWS Cape Gazette
f
More than 14,000 cases
reported in Delaware in 2011
By Ron MacArthur or among those who suffer dis-
ronm capegazette.com abilities, said Patricia Dailey
Lewis, an attorney who is direc-
In 2011, more than 14,000 cases tor of the Family Division of the
of child abuse and neglect were Delaware Department of lustice.
reported in Delaware. In any giv- "No one is looking out for them
en month, 700 children are in but you," she told those assem-
Delaware's foster care program, bled on The Circle.
To draw attention to the ex- She said one in four girls and
tent of the problem, dozens of one in six boys are molested by
people gathered April 1 on The the age of 18. "But only 1 in 10 is
Circle in Georgefown for the reported," she said. "Ninety per-
Blue Bow campaign, started 20 cent of the abuse is by people
years ago by a Virginia grand- they know. Our job is to protect
mother who tied a blue ribbon to children; we must be aware and
her car antenna as a memorial to we must be vigilant."
her grandson, a victim of child "The greatest thing we can do
abuse. Her simple act ignited a as an advocate is empower them
national campaign each: April to to the greatness we see in them,"
prevent and stop child abuse, said Heather Williams about the
Coordinated by Children & young victims of abuse. Deputy
Families First, the Blue Bow child advocate Williams said as a
event featured speakers who children's lawyer, she represents
praised those who advocate for neglected and abused children
children and stressed the impor- every day.
tance of constant vigilance. As an example, she described
"We have the moral: responsi- two of her clients who have risen
bility to make sure no child is above years of abuse and neglect
abused; we have to do every- to f'md their way out of the dark-
thing we can," said £t. Gov. Matt ness - one Child has been adopt-
Denn. ed and the other is in foster care.
Most abuse cases occur when For more information go to
children are less than 4 years old cffde.org or phone 800-220-3092.
A CROWD GATHERS
ON THE CIRCLE in downtown Georgetown to take
RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
part in the Blue Bow ceremony.
Jeremiah Parker, 2, is attending the ever/t with family members.-
Alison Taylor, a staff member of Children & Families First, sings "Greatest Love Of
All," a Whitney Houston hit.
Geria Sturgis of Georgetown keeps a watchful eye
on the proceedings as she videos the Blue Bow cere-
mony.
Members of the Sussex Academy Glee Clubperform during Blue Bow 2012.
Lt. Gov. Matt Denn thanks those who have
supported families and victims of children
abuse.
The Rev.Dania Griffin of Macedonia AME Church
talks about his trials and tribulations as an abused
and neglei=ted ~:hild.
