October is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario.  This year marks the 25^th anniversary of Child Abuse Prevention Month.  The message for this year’s campaign is “It takes a village to keep kids safe.”

Every community or “village” is made up of different kinds of people:  adults, parents, caregivers and children.  Being part of a village means there are lots of people that children and youth can go to for support when they need it, including teachers, police, doctors, nurses, Children’s Aid and others.  Everybody in the community has a role to play in supporting the right of children and youth to be safe.

The Children’s Aid Society of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry is sponsoring three signature events this October to raise awareness about child abuse prevention.

From September 25 to October 18, 2017, enter the #scarechallengeSDG contest.  Participants are asked to prank and scare someone to make them use their voice.  Submit your video to win prizes.  Visit the CAS SDG website and Facebook page for details.

On October 18, 2017, come to Dinner of the Arts at Au Vieux Duluth from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Entertainment that evening will showcase the talents of local youth.  All meals are by donation and all proceeds raised are used to send community children to summer camp.

On October 24, 2017, all Ontarians are asked to Dress Purple.  Purple is the colour that has been chosen as a symbol to remind us that all kids need to be safe.  Purple is a symbol to remind us that our community – our “village” – needs to work together to look after kids.  When we dress purple, it is a reminder that it takes a village to keep kids safe.

It takes a village to keep kids safe:
#IBREAKthesilence.