VALLEY — Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM) is a time to highlight the importance of individuals and communities working together to prevent child abuse. The goal is to reduce the number of child abuse reports that are made to the Colorado Department of Human Services each year. During 2018, in the San Luis Valley alone, there were 1,067 child abuse reports made to the Colorado Department of Human Services. 

In honor of CAPM, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the San Luis Valley would like to invite residents to wear a blue ribbon, to participate in “Wear Blue Day” and to attend the Child Abuse Prevention Event hosted by the Alamosa County Department of Human Services. The blue ribbon will act as a conversation starter and gives participants the opportunity to tell others that they support child abuse prevention. 

Take a Stand

By wearing blue on Friday, April 5, residents will join communities across Colorado in taking a stand against child abuse. The Child Abuse Prevention Event will give families the opportunity to enjoy an evening filled with food, fun activities and to learn about the resources that the San Luis Valley has to offer. The event will take place on Friday, April 26 from 5-8 p.m. at the Alamosa Family Rec Center and is free. 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is a campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate the community on how to prevent sexual violence. This year marks the 18th anniversary of SAAM; however, efforts to end sexual violence began decades before with advocates like Rosa Parks and led to events in the late 1970’s such as the first Take Back the Night event, which was held in San Francisco. The Take Back the Night event protested rape and sexual assault that women encountered while walking the streets at night. This event caused a movement across the country which helped form SAAM. 

Wear Teal Day

Tu Casa, Inc. would like to invite everyone to help raise awareness about sexual assault throughout the month of April by wearing a teal ribbon, participating in “Wear Teal Day,” attending educational events and participating in “Denim Day.” The teal ribbon will act as a conversation starter and gives you the opportunity to tell people participants support efforts to end sexual violence. “Wear Teal Day” was on Wednesday, April 3. By wearing teal residents took a stand against sexual violence with other across the U. S. Also on April 3, advocates from Tu Casa, Inc. provided a “lunch-n-learn presentation. On April 5, head over to the Square Peg Brewerks for the kick-off to the SAAM event which will feature SAAM information, Tu Casa information, Rubi Slipper tacos, games and prizes. At the end of the month wear jeans or denim on Wednesday, April 24. 

Awareness

Child abuse and sexual assault can no longer be ignored; everyone must work together to raise awareness and end violence. 

If you or someone you know needs help, call our 24-hour hotline at (719) 589-2465. If you would like to make a donation in honor of those who have been impacted by abuse, visit our website www.slvtucasa.net and click on the link to donate. If you are interested in volunteering with our agency or would like more information about events contact us at (719) 589-2465.

Tu Casa, Inc. and the San Luis Valley Children’s Advocacy Center are non-profit agencies that help adults and children live lives that are free from domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse. Both agencies provide services to all six counties in the San Luis Valley with a 24-hour crisis hotline. In 2018, Tu Casa, Inc. provided services to approximately 266 people and the Children’s Advocacy Center of the San Luis Valley assisted 137 children. All services are free, confidential and available in English and Spanish.