Sheppard Family Advocacy participates in Child Abuse Prevention Month event

Members of the Sheppard Family Advocacy staff pose in front of a sign about child abuse and neglect at the Walk of Knowledge, an event to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month, at the Wichita County Courthouse, Wichita Falls, TX, April 15, 2016. Front Row (Left to right): Tiffany Esparza, Family Advocacy Outreach manager, Amy McGee, Family Advocacy Program and Outreach assistant. Back Row (Left to right): Capt. Jason Ross, Mental Health flight commander, Austin Solomons, Social Worker, Master Sgt. Toya Moore, Mental Health flight chief.

Child Abuse Prevention Month event highlights the power of knowledge

The Walk of Knowledge, an event raising awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month, brings knowledge and insight to the issue of child abuse and neglect at the Wichita County Courthouse, Wichita Falls, Texas, April 15, 2016. The shoes represent the 684 cases of child abuse and neglect for Wichita County in 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Brittany Curry)

Child Abuse Prevention Month event highlights the power of knowledge

Published April 25, 2016
By 2nd Lt. Brittany Curry
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

Team Sheppard and local community members raise awareness for National Child Abuse Prevention Month through the Walk of Knowledge event at Wichita County District Courthouse April 15.

Sheppard’s Family Advocacy members and local organizations, participated in the annual event to bring light to the 684 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in Wichita County in 2015.

“This event is held to keep this issue in the forefront of people’s minds,” said Lisa Choate, Children’s Aid Society Teen Shelter program director. “Often times this event reminds people of what neglect and abuse looks like, which can lead to an increase in reports, volunteers with programs, or consideration of adoption and fostering children.”

As a part of the Walk of Knowledge, pairs of shoes lined the sidewalk outside the courthouse representing the 684 confirmed cases. Behind the shoes, signs stated statistics, tips and facts about child abuse and neglect. Additionally, three mannequins were displayed representing the three fatalities in Wichita County and the surrounding areas.

“Family Advocacy’s goal for fiscal year 2016 is to reduce stigma associated with the Family Advocacy Program,” said Captain Escatel, Family Advocacy Officer. “Our goal is to identify and promote healthy families and build on that family dynamic.

Family Advocacy’s vision is to enhance family relationships by offering outreach through education, training and encouraging family interactions through “Actions Speak Louder” events like Family nerf night, weekly story time and ongoing parenting workshops.

“Sheppard Air Force Base is part of the Wichita Falls Community,” said Tiffany Esparza, Family Advocacy outreach manager. “We support the community of Wichita Falls the same way the Wichita Falls Community supports Sheppard Air Force Base. Everyday children right here in our community on and off base are subjected to neglect, abuse, and even death as a result of domestic violence and child abuse. The first step in making a cultural change is recognizing there is an issue and getting people to talk about it.”

Children are one of our society’s most vulnerable population, prevention of child abuse is everyone’s job, said Esparza.