On Monday, March 31st Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee met with members of Cherished Hearts Children’s Advocacy Center to declare the month of April Child Abuse Awareness Month in the City of Laurel.
Cherished Hearts Executive Director Robin Gibson discussed the role of children’s advocacy centers and the need to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect with Mayor Magee. She was joined by Shawna Lynch and Carrington Stuart.
Gibson reported that since Cherished Hearts opened its doors in 2024, they have received 130 referrals for forensic interviews for local children.
“If you suspect child abuse, speak up,” she said to those assembled. “Small actions can save lives.”
For more information on Cherished Hearts, visit https://cherishedheartsinc.com/
The proclamation read as follows:
Whereas, every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment free from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect; and
Whereas, child maltreatment is a serious public health issue with lingering effects long after the traumatic incident; and
Whereas, child abuse and neglect prevention strategies include strengthening and supporting Mississippi families, providing social, legal, and financial resources for both child victims and their families, and pursing aggressive criminal justice activity; and
Whereas, the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi provide hope, healing, and justice for children experiencing felonious child maltreatment; and
Whereas, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi seeks to endure that every child in Mississippi has the permanent family they need and deserve to nurture and support them to adulthood and is committed to safeguard children and promote efficient systematic response to the needs of children and their families in the state of Mississippi; and
Whereas, raising public awareness and promoting child abuse prevention efforts offers safety for ALL Mississippi children
Now, therefore, I Johnny Magee, Mayor of the City of Laurel, do hereby proclaim that the entire month of April 2025, shall be observed as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Laurel, Mississippi, and do hereby call on all citizens, organizations, and all levels of government to collectively join the fight to end child abuse and to protect Mississippi’s children.
In witness, thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Laurel, Mississippi to be affixed this the 31st day of March, A.D. 2025.
