What could cartoon characters possibly have to do with child abuse prevention?
Most would say nothing. Until recently, that probably would have been true, but not anymore.
Somewhere somebody decided to change a Facebook profile picture to cartoon characters in order to bring attention child abuse and the need for prevention. A lot of people followed suit, then a lot more, then thousands more. It grew into a mini-movement, got a lot of people talking, and even got national media attention.
The Facebook profile picture movement didn't ask anybody to do anything other than post a picture to recognize the fact that child abuse exists and that we all need to do something about it. Changing pictures to cartoon characters made a statement -- and started a conversation.
For many people, it did even more than that.
The Facebook picture campaign is prompting some to make donations to local organizations that prevent and respond to child abuse. Others are searching for more information about what can be done and sharing it with friends.
Others are posting messages on their own Facebook pages, responding to a myriad of blog postings, or contacting media outlets to ask that more attention be given to child abuse and the need to stop it. Still others are sharing their own experiences as survivors of abuse and/or reaching out in empathy to those who have suffered abuse.
All from a cartoon character picture.
Lots of people have tried to figure out who started it and if this has all been a legitimate movement. But none of that really matters.
What really matters is that conversations are taking place all over the country about child abuse -- something that people have often been hesitant to discuss, but a topic that desperately needs our attention. It's not just something that inevitably happens and can't be changed. It can.
More and more people are recognizing that in order for our communities to thrive, we must all acknowledge and address child abuse. Whether it's physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect -- it's not okay for this to be happening. It is simply unacceptable for any child to ever be abused in any way. Ever.
Addressing this issue head-on now will yield tremendous results later. The more we invest in the health and well-being of children and families now, the more the next generation will pay it back through greater productivity, improved health, and responsible citizenship.
More and more people are also realizing that protecting children involves every person in every community -- it's not someone else's problem. It's a personal responsibility.
Every single person can make a difference in his or her sphere of influence -- talk to friends, family, colleagues to raise awareness of child abuse. Find out what policies are in place to protect children. Ask local officials to take the initiative to do more to protect children. Get involved with a local organization that sponsors child abuse prevention and response programs.
For instance, there are over 900 Children's Advocacy Centers across the country that have hundreds of resources to prevent and respond to child abuse. One example is the National Children's Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama where model programs and initiatives are developed and disseminated to communities across the United States and around the world.
The possibilities are endless. And the opportunities are out there. There are solutions that work, and they are available to everyone.
The most important thing is that more and more people are becoming more aware of what is happening around them.
All from a picture of a cartoon character. Amazing really.
Now we have to take it from here. We have to use the momentum to take awareness of child abuse to a new level and do even more.
This article is taken from-
http://ezinearticles.com/?Cartoon-Characters-and-Child-Abuse-Prevention?&id=5561605
