Superhero Walk marches through Nampa to raise awareness for child abuse prevention
Superhero Walk marches through Nampa to raise awareness for child abuse prevention.
The Nampa Family Justice Center held a Superhero Walk and community gathering to recognize April as National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness month.
The event invited community members to dress as superheroes, wear capes or the color blue to help spread awareness.
Organizers said the event is also designed to create public dialogue about childhood abuse and prevention despite its taboo nature.
The walk is called the Superhero Walk because everyone can help spot or prevent child abuse, just like a superhero.
"From those that come out and talk about the abuse that they've experienced, to those who listen to and believe the children who disclose, and then the professionals that are working alongside to do what they can to protect these children," said Jennifer Perry, Nampa Family Justice Center Program Director.
The Center works with children who have experienced abuse.
Perry said their organization not only works to help children get out of abusive situations, but they also work to prevent it from happening to others.
They hold a training program for community members called Darkness to Light, designed to help identify some signs of abuse.
"That's really about grooming and helps community members recognize the signs of child abuse and what they can do to help out. How they can make a report to either health and welfare or law enforcement, things they can look for," Perry said.
Nampa Family Justice Center’s Community Outreach and Training Director, Kelly Garcia, said events like the Superhero Walk serve as a reminder that it shouldn't hurt to be a kid and that anyone can help stop abuse.
"The community can come together and rally around this very difficult but necessary issue that we just have to deal with. We have to. Kids are being hurt, and we need to learn how to be safe as adults, to prevent it and stop it," said Garcia.
Around 400 people participated in Saturday's walk and community gathering.
The Nampa Family Justice Center also provides services to anyone who has experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, stalking and human trafficking.
They provide those services at no cost to the victims.