One with Courage campaign aids child abuse victims

NASHUA – The Granite State Children’s Alliance has launched its statewide One with Courage campaign. The national public awareness initiative is focused on helping communities and individuals respond to child sexual abuse. The Granite State Children’s Alliance, with the support of the National Children’s Alliance, has partnered with the 10 Child Advocacy Centers and the Attorney General’s Task Force Against Child Abuse and Neglect to roll out this awareness campaign. The campaign challenges communities and individuals to take an active role and stand up for children. “Recent incidents at Penn State and other trusted institutions have revealed that no one, and no institution, is safe from abuse so long as shame and silence prevail,” said Kristie Palestino, executive director of the Granite State Children’s Alliance. It is estimated that 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday; only 1 in 10 will tell. Nationwide in 2011, more than 275,000 children received services at a Children’s Advocacy Centers; in New Hampshire, more than 2,100 were served. One with Courage highlights the role CACs play in providing comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to child victims of abuse in New Hampshire and throughout the country. CACs bring together specialized expertise of law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, and medical and mental health professionals as a team to investigate cases and to best serve children and their families. For more information, visit cac-nh.org.