| |
Children's Memorial Flag Inspires Communities Nationwide to Eliminate Violence against Children
By Shay Bilchik
(ARA) - Every year in America, nearly 3 million children will be reported abused and neglected, and more than 1,000 will die from abuse or neglect. That is why in 1998, the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) launched the Children's Memorial Flag Campaign, an innovative public awareness initiative designed to draw attention to the problem of violence against children in this country.
The centerpiece of the initiative is a simple, moving image -- a red flag depicting blue paper-doll-like figures of children holding hands. In the center, the white chalk outline of a missing child symbolizes the children lost to violence. Created by a 16-year-old student in Alameda County, Calif., the Children's Memorial Flag honors and acknowledges each lost child and raises public awareness about this enduring issue.
In 2001, under the leadership of Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV), the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill declaring the fourth Friday in April National Children's Memorial Flag Day. This year it falls on April 23rd.
On this day, governors, mayors, directors of social service agencies, hospitals, police chiefs, parents, educators, corporations, national organizations, individuals, and families unite by flying the flag, issuing proclamations, or participating in ceremonies to memorialize children and build support for ending the violence.
For the past three years, all 50 states and their governors have embraced Children's Memorial Flag Day as a way to publicly show their support for families affected by violence against children, and to ensure that Americans are working together both locally in their communities and nationally in Congress to eliminate this issue.
To further increase public awareness of the tragedy of violence against children, CWLA and Alameda County are submitting a proposal for the Children's Memorial Flag to be commemorated on a United States postal stamp. Though nearly 400 individuals and organizations actively support the stamp initiative, we still need more help. To add your name to CWLA's list of growing supporters, email flag@cwla.org indicating that you support the proposal to have the flag commemorated as a postal stamp.
Clearly, Children's Memorial Flag Day has allowed communities across the United States to transform tragedy into triumph. Communities have held candlelight vigils, memorial services and information fairs. In the words of Janet Craig of the Alliance for Children, Inc. in West Virginia, "Children's Memorial Flag Day is truly the cornerstone of our efforts during Child Abuse Prevention Month." The Flag motivates people to view violence against children in a new light by providing them with a real, tangible way to support societal and cultural change. Craig has been an inspiration for other states. Through her work, she has motivated all 55 of West Virginia's counties to fly the Children's Memorial Flag at the county court houses.
While other states have begun to follow in West Virginia's footsteps, many of the remarkable stories to emerge out of the Children's Memorial Flag initiative have been more local or individual in scope. In Michigan, a community was united in a ceremony on Children's Memorial Flag Day when a group of fourth and fifth grade students from Walnut Elementary School in Lansing read statements about their thoughts and feelings about violence in their neighborhoods and schools after the Children's Memorial Flag had been raised. Though the Flag only fluttered for one day, the impact of the youths' words lasted long beyond the ceremony, inspiring the community to take action to protect its children.
In Fort Worth, Texas, the Children's Memorial Flag flies every day in a very special place called the Garden of Angels. The Garden of Angels is the final resting spot for children who have been victims of violence, including Amber Hagerman -- whose 1996 murder inspired the Amber Plan child abduction alerts and tougher state and federal laws against child abduction. The Children's Memorial Flag flies side-by-side the United States Flag to honor these silent fallen angels and bring a sense of community and solace to their relatives and friends.
For these individuals, communities, organizations, and states, the work begun during Child Abuse Prevention Month and on Children's Memorial Flag Day does not end in April. The Children's Memorial Flag Campaign has sparked a movement across America to stamp out child abuse. Concerned citizens nationwide rally around this issue all year long, but April is oftentimes the month when we garner our newest supporters. We invite you to join us!
For more information about the Children's Memorial Flag Campaign and child abuse prevention, or to download a list of Ten Things You Can Do for Child Abuse Prevention Month and Children's Memorial Flag Day, visit the Child Welfare League of America on the Web at http://www.cwla.org/advocacy/memorialflag.htm or e-mail flag@cwla.org.
Courtesy of ARA Content
 Back to Top  Printer-friendly Page  Contact Us
|
|
