National studies show that one in 10 children will experience sexual abuse or exploitation by the time they turn 18 years old.
The mission of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan is to stop that abuse before it starts, and to help when abuse has occurred.
Allie Kibler-Campbell (pictured above in the mock courtroom that prepares abuse victims for legal proceedings) is the Abuse Prevention and Outreach supervisor at the Center and said the grant the team applied for is specifically focused on prevention – raising awareness with children by visiting area schools.
Through the grant, the Center will receive $165,000 dollars over the next 2 and a half years to expand and support community-based education programs. The program was selected by Children’s Trust Michigan who is helping to administer the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funding.
Kibler-Campbell says they’re hoping to hire someone in the next few months, and also put money toward additional abuse prevention awareness materials.
For more information on the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan you can visit their website at www.swmichigancac.org.
