ATLANTA — Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia (CACGA), the organization responsible for supporting Children’s Advocacy Centers all over Georgia, is announcing the 19 Days of Activism campaign —“Protecting Children and Their Dreams.”  Beginning Nov. 1, CACGA will lead a media and event campaign that joins partner organizations that are striving to transform communities by shielding children from abuse. The 19-day campaign culminates on Nov. 19, with the Sixth Annual World Day Conference hosted by CACGA at Kennesaw State University.

To highlight the numerous forms of abuse and challenges that child victims suffer, CACGA has designated each of the first 19 days of November to a different facet of child abuse.  We are asking our partners to make a commitment to prevent child abuse by adopting one of the first 19 days in November and participating in designated activities and other community engagement. The 19 Days of Activism are:

11/1 – Community Responsibility

11/2 – Bullying

11/3 – Cyber Bullying

11/4 – Teen Violence

11/5 – Hunger and Malnutrition

11/6 – Educational, Emotional, and Medical Neglect

11/7 – Homelessness

11/8 – Healthy Lifestyles

11/9 – Substance Abuse

11/10 – Trauma and its Impact

11/11 – Underage Drinking

11/12 – Sports and Recreation Safety

11/13 – Children and Choices

11/14 – Child Pornography

11/15 – Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Trafficking

11/16 – Internet Safety

11/17 – Video Games and Mobile Devices

11/18 – Peer Support and Leadership

11/19 – World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse

“We are building a multi-issue coalition of diverse partners dedicated to building communities where children can live and learn in a safe and healthy environment,” says Cynthia D. Howell, CEO of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia.  “By focusing the first 19 days of November on the prevention of abuse against children and youth, we will shine light upon this alarming issue, its multifaceted aspects, and the need to increase grassroots interest, public support and government action.”

CACGA’s statewide public awareness campaign is designed to mobilize families, community leaders, faith-based organizations, government officials and others with an interest in protecting and improving the lives of children. In addition, CACGA hopes to spark ongoing conversations about real child abuse threats here in Georgia.

For example, as recently as December 2011, the Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness estimated that more than 45,000 children in Georgia are homeless in any given year. Approximately 66 percent of CAC clients are under 12 years of age. Approximately 17 percent of the children are not old enough to attend kindergarten. CACGA needs the community to join its efforts to stymie these destructive elements that rob children of their dreams.

For more information about the campaign, including statistics, and becoming a partner, visit our website at www.cacga.org/19-days-of-activism, like Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @CACGA.

About Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia (CACGA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and growing a network of 40 Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) across Georgia.  When children and their families arrive at a CAC, they find a team of caring professionals who are committed to helping children through the trauma of abuse. 

Last year more than 8,000 children and their family members received critical services at a Georgia CAC.  Children’s Advocacy Centers combine the wisdom and professional knowledge of law enforcement, DFCS, prosecution, and medical and mental health to ensure an effective response system is in place that is sensitive to the needs of children.