Latest news with #KaraMcElhone
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Belchertown raises flag to honor child abuse prevention
BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WWLP) – Belchertown and the surrounding area gathered Tuesday morning to raise the Child Abuse Prevention flag at town hall. The Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County helped to raise the flag for child abuse prevention while also continuing to raise awareness. 'It's easy to think that this doesn't happen here but unfortunately, child abuse is a reality here, just like it is in communities across our nation,' says Executive Director for the Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County, Kara McElhone. 'The important thing to recognize is that every adult has a role and that as kids, kids need adults to be able to speak to and be that trusted adult in their life.' McElhone said child abuse is far too common and often, adults are the only voice for children. She adds, 'Statistically one in four girls is sexually abused before they turn 18 years old.' In Massachusetts, 84% of offenders were family members or someone the child already knew. There are a number of signs to look out for to help identify a situation of child abuse. 'If a child's behavior changes a lot, if they start to withdraw, you know if you're worried about clearly this physical indicator of abuse, but you know it's not your job to investigate. It's your job to report,' states McElhone. The general rule of thumb is if you see something, say something. David Sullivan with the Northwestern District Attorney's Office told 22News, 'I can't say enough about being the eyes and ears in a community. People can speak up, they can report to the Department of Child and Families (DCF), or the local police department if they suspect any kind of abuse.' But if you do see signs, leave the investigation to the proper officials. Sullivan adds, 'We have a team of people that work with these children first, to make sure that they're safe and second, to make sure that any trauma, that they're starting to heal and lastly is to make sure that if we can go forward on a criminal case with abuse that we can.' The Children's Advocacy Center helps to minimize the number of times a child has to talk about their abuse while they help them heal from it. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Western Mass. flag raising ceremonies, events for Child Abuse Awareness Month
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – The Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) of Hampshire County is inviting the community to participate in a series of events this April in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Month. The month-long initiative will include flag-raising ceremonies across multiple towns and the 5th annual 'This Little Light of Mine' luminaria event, honoring those dedicated to protecting children. Recovery resources available for those suffering from opioid addiction in Massachusetts 'These events serve as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and support our children,' said Kara McElhone, director of the CAC. 'By raising awareness and recognizing those who go above and beyond, we hope to inspire continued action toward a future free from child abuse.' The 5th annual 'This Little Light of Mine' luminaria event will take place on Thursday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Garden House at Look Park in Florence. The evening will feature a brief program with guest speakers and an awards ceremony. This year, Belchertown Public Schools and the Belchertown Police Department will receive the Linda L. Pisano Award for Excellence, recognizing their outstanding dedication to ensuring children receive the protection and care they need. The CAC is also organizing flag-raising events in several communities to publicly recognize Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Month. These ceremonies, open to the public, will be held at the following locations and times: Belchertown – Tuesday, April 1, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Belchertown Town Hall (2 Jabish St.), followed by an open house at the new Belchertown CAC Office (37 Main St.) Amherst 0 Tuesday, April 1, 4 p.m. at Amherst Town Commons Easthampton – Wednesday, April 2, 9 to 9:30 a.m. at Easthampton City Hall (50 Payson Ave.) Northampton – Wednesday, April 2, 10:30 to 11 a.m. at Northampton Police Station (29 Center St.) South Hadley – Thursday, April 3, 10 to 10:30 a.m. at South Hadley Police Station (41 Bridge St.) Hadley – Friday, April 4, 10 a.m., at Hadley Town Hall (100 Middle St.) in case of rain, the event will move inside the Hadley Public Library The CAC encourages community members to attend these events and show their support for child advocacy efforts. Those interested in contributing to the organization's mission can donate to help fund advocacy programs, awareness initiatives, and essential resources for children in need. For more information on the events or to make a donation, visit the Children's Advocacy Center's website. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
