The Logan County Child Advocacy Center and the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network (WVCAN) has announced the launch of “One With Courage,” a statewide public awareness campaign centered on protecting children from abuse.

“One With Courage” highlights the bravery that it takes for child victims to talk about their abuse and calls on all adults to have similar courage to identify abuse and know how to respond. The campaign also highlights the unique role children’s advocacy centers play in providing comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to child victims of abuse.

“It takes tremendous courage for a child to tell someone they are being abused,” says WVCAN Executive Director Emily Chittenden-Laird. “Children’s advocacy centers have been taking the lead in their local communities to welcome children and families through their doors, listen to their stories, and work with local teams of professionals to do all they can to keep children safe, hold perpetrators accountable, and help child victims of abuse begin the road to healing. Now we are calling on all adults in our community to have courage by educating themselves, talking openly about this important issue, and responding appropriately when they suspect abuse.”

“One With Courage” is part of a joint project of the Division of Justice and Community Services, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation, the National Children’s Alliance, Verizon Wireless, Frontier Communications, Image Outdoor Advertising, and WVCAN. WV Media, in conjunction with WVCAN, is devoted to educating the community on how to prevent child abuse and support the fundamental and life-saving services provided by children’s advocacy centers. Thanks to a generous in-kind gift of network advertising from WV Media Holdings, “One With Courage” will run through March and again in April.

During the last year, 2,358 children received services from a child advocacy center in West Virginia. The Logan Center served 146 new children in addition to 85 children whose cases were moving through the courts.

“By having a CAC in the community, these children were able to tell their story in a safe environment and receive services to help them in their healing process,” said Beth Cook, director of the Logan County CAC.

The Logan County Child Advocacy Center serves children from Logan and Mingo Counties who have been victims of crimes. Services include special investigative teams, forensic interviews, and services to help child victims recover. The Logan County Child Advocacy Center is an independent, nonprofit corporation and is listed as a WV charity by the Secretary of State.

To learn the signs of abuse, contact The Logan County Child Advocacy Center at 304-792-6261 or email at thelogancac@yahoo.com or visit www.wvcan.org