April is Time to Focus on Ending Abuse
Hays County Proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month
Hays County officials and social service agencies gathered at Commissioner Court Tuesday to bring attention to the need for Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness. The Court proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month as well as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and encouraged residents of Hays County to volunteer for and donate to local agencies that assist victims of these crimes.
More than 465 children in Hays County were confirmed victims of child abuse in 2015 and statewide 171 children died from child abuse.
Locally, representatives from the Hays County Child Protective Board, Hays County District Attorney’s Office, Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center and Roxanne’s House, Greater San Marcos Youth Council, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), police departments in San Marcos, Buda and Kyle and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office as well as CTMC have joined forces to provide preventive and supportive services to child victims and their families.
As with preventing Child Abuse, efforts to end sexual assault can only be successful through citizen involvement, and the safety of citizens of Hays County depends upon our actions to prevent it. Sexual assaults affect all races, ages, and economic situations. In 2015 the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center provided direct services to 468 adult victims of sexual assault in Hays and Caldwell counties; 349 of them were from Hays County.
It is estimated that two in five women and one in five men in Texas have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
Anyone who is a victim of abuse or suspects the abuse of another person should report it to 9-1-1 if there is immediate danger or call 512-396-4357(HELP) for more information about available services.
County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., noted that citizens can help these social service agencies help others by participating in upcoming fundraising events which feature live or silent auctions, door prizes, music, food, games and more. Details are at each organization’s website.
Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center will hold a fundraiser Saturday, April 2 at 6 p.m. at Texas State’s LBJ Student Center Ballroom. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the door or online on the website, www.hcwc.org
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will hold its annual dinner/auction event Friday, April 8, 6:30-10:30 p.m. at Stelzenhaus on the Wurstfest Grounds in New Braunfels. This year’s event – Ciao CASA – is Italian-themed. Tickets at 830-626-2272 or www.casacentex.org.
Greater San Marcos Youth Council will present A Night of Hope, Thursday, April 28 at Three Dudes Winery. Call 512-754-0500 or email jrnew@gsmyc.org for tickets or information or visit www.gsmyc.org.
