April 2016

​“Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.”
–Tich Nhat Hanh  

Hello wonderful community member! Thank you for reading our second monthly newsletter!   
The month of April honors National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and it is also National Child Abuse Prevention month. In recognition of these issues being highlighted, this newsletter is focused on upcoming community events that promote education and awareness about these topics, including what to do if you suspect a child may be a victim of child abuse.   

Crime Victim Advocates provide support, resources and validation to families and children who are victims and survivors of child abuse. It is our job to act and respond to any case of reported child abuse in hopes of getting the victim safe as soon as possible. Advocates accompany every family and child who has a forensic interview at the Children Justice and Advocacy Center in Kelso (CJAC). CJAC is a place that interviews children who are victims of child physical or sexual abuse in hopes that the child only has to say their story once. Advocates are there with the child and the safe person who brought them to explain the CJAC process, provide resources, support and validation.  

Contact info 
Crime Victim Advocacy Program-CVAP 1330 11th Avenue, Longview, WA 
Monday-Friday 9 a.m-5 p.m. Hotline: 360-425-1176
Afterhours and weekend hotline: 425-252-8274 
Shiram@cascadenetworks.net 
Stephaniee@cascadenetworks.net 
www.Esshelter.com
Child abuse hotline: 1-866-ENDHARM  ​

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Upcoming Awareness Events This Month ​

We are excited to announce there are several events going on this month that promote National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Crime Victims’ Rights week.  

Crime Victim Advocacy Free Family and Resource Carnival:  
What: Games, Prizes, Empowerment Bingo, Obstacle Courses, Community Resources, Bouncy House, a Special Speaker and much more!
When: Noon-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 23rd 
 Where: Youth and Family Link on Douglas St, Longview 
Why: To honor survivors and recognize Crime Victim Rights’ Awareness Week and to raise awareness about services for victims of crime ​

Pinwheel Gardens at the Longview Library: 
The Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center (CJAC) will be planting pinwheels at the Longview Library on from noon to 1 p.m. on April 16th to honor National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The public is invited to attend this event. 

CJAC will be planting more than 1,000 pinwheels, one pinwheel for every child its agency has seen for a forensic interview.  If you would like to plant a pinwheel please contact Garrett Harrison at 360-353-3933 or at harrisong@cowlitzcjac.org. 

Free Child Sexual Abuse Workshop, Stewards of Children          
 Free two hour workshop on April 28th at CJAC from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
 Teaches adults how to prevent, identity, and respond to child sex abuse 
To register call Garrett Harrison at 360-353-3933 

Free Kids Bullying Prevention Workshop 
Where: Kelso Library When: April 21st at 10 a.m. 

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​Crime Topic Of The Month: Child Abuse

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​See tips 1 and 2 for information about how the Crime Victim Advocacy Program can help victims of child abuse

1. The Crime Victim Advocacy Program can help children who are victims of child abuse and their families by providing support, resources and validation. The advocacy can be provided in an office setting, over the phone, in the legal system and/or in the medical system. 

2. Crime Victim Advocates accompany families who must undergo forensic interviews at the Children Justice and Advocacy Center. Advocates explain the process of the forensic interviews at CJAC, provide the family and child with clothing, hygiene items and blankets and provide community resources to the family.  

See tips 3 and 4 if you suspect a child you know may be a victim  of child abuse 

3. Report it . Call 1-877-ENDHARM. The hotline is open 24/7 and will connect with you the proper local agency to report child abuse. 

4. Know your resources . Being able to connect the victim to the proper resources that fit their needs best is extremely important. Listed below are local and national resources that help victims of child abuse. 

• Crime Victims Advocacy Program, 1-360-425-1176, located at 1330 11th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632. Appointments are available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• ChildHelp National Child Abuse 24/7 Hotline, 1-800-422-4453 
• Bikers Against Child Abuse, Coldwater Lake Chapter. This local BACA chapter is based out of Kelso but serves most of Southwest Washington. Contact the local helpline number at 360-524-2615 for more information about making a referral. When calling the local helpline number, please leave a voice message with your name and phone number and a local BACA member will call you back within 24 hours.