Officer Kelley McKethan of the Bryan police department visits with WTAW’s Bill Oliver about Wednesday’s Blue Ribbon Tree program (details are below from Scotty’s House), the first “Coffee With A Cop” reception on April 8 from 8 until 10 a.m. at the Brazos Valley African-American Museum, and locations of increased traffic enforcement.
News release from Scotty’s House:
In Texas, one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Of those, only one in ten will tell. On Wednesday, April 1st, at 10:30am, representatives from Scotty’s House, College Station Police Department, Bryan Police Department, and the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office will be at the Bryan Police Department for the 5th Annual Blue Ribbon Tree dedication ceremony honoring the 201 child victims of sexual abuse in Brazos County in 2014. The public is invited to attend the event at 303 E 29th St. in Bryan. The ribbon tree will remain at the Bryan Police Department through the end of April.
This year, 201 blue ribbons will be tied to branches of a tree at the Bryan Police Department. The 201 ribbons represent the 201 child victims of sexual abuse that were brought to Scotty’s House by Brazos County law enforcement. Scotty’s House works with law enforcement to investigate child abuse cases. Children from birth to 17 years of age receive forensic interviews, forensic medical exams, and counseling at Scotty’s House. Founded in 1995, the mission of Scotty’s House is to provide safety, healing and justice for children victimized by abuse through professional assessment, counseling and education in a compassionate and collaborative approach.
Child abuse is entirely preventable, but not without your help. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Scotty’s House recognizes this month as an opportunity to raise awareness of the tragedies of child abuse and neglect, and in doing so we hope to brighten the future for generations to come. This month-long observance engages the Brazos Valley community to show support and concern for our most vulnerable citizens.
It’s your turn to make a difference! Everyone has a role to play in child abuse prevention. To find out how to get involved in child abuse prevention efforts in your community, contact Scotty’s House at 979-703-8813, or visit www.scottyshouse.org. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, it is your responsibility to make a report to the Texas Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400, or online at www.txabusehotline.org.