April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and on Friday the Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County held an appreciation luncheon to say thanks to their board members, multi-disciplinary team members, representatives of the judicial system, the media and others for their support.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Bob Johnston read aloud the official proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Awareness month.

The non-profit Child Advocacy Center is supported by state and federal grants and provides services for children who are victims of severe physical or sexual abuse.

In the warm, home-like facility, children meet with specially-trained interviewers and receive counseling, when necessary.

Each case is monitored by a multidisciplinary team of law enforcement representatives, prosecutors, therapists, social workers, child advocates and medical care providers. Staff interviews the children in a child-friendly environment and share the information that is obtained.

The goal is to reduce the trauma children experience when they enter the justice system. It also helps to determine the needs of each child and his/her non-abusing family members while ensuring that the abuser is brought to justice.

In observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month, something new has been added to raise awareness about the center.

A display has been set up in front of the center to honor the 80 children assisted by the facility in the last fiscal year.