Child Abuse Prevention Month

Pinwheels for Prevention

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center (JCAC) is busy preparing for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. To confront the epidemic of child abuse, the JCAC will be distributing pinwheels in collaboration with Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL), a chapter of Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) America.

"Pinwheels for Prevention" is PCA America's campaign, which began in 2008, to promote prevention through community action and targeted policy changes. Since the campaign’s inception, over 2.3 million pinwheels have been distributed. Pinwheels were chosen to represent this effort because they are a "positive and loving symbol of childhood." The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign highlights the need for children to be raised in safe, healthy environments, which will to lead to advancements for our whole society.

Child abuse and neglect prevention is important for several reasons. First of all, we are morally obligated to ensure that every child is raised in a safe environment free from abuse and neglect. Furthermore, remaining dormant while this epidemic persists will continue to be detrimental to our economy. According to results of research conducted by Prevent Child Abuse America, effective child abuse and neglect prevention strategies can save taxpayers $80 billion a year. Conversely, not implementing prevention measures leads to increases in spending on "foster care services, hospitalization, mental health treatment, and law enforcement, as well as loss of individual productivity and expenditures related to chronic health problems, special education, and the justice system."

To plant pinwheels at your home, work-site, religious institution, community organization, or other place of interest, please contact the Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center at 504-364-3857. Let’s work together to prevent child abuse in Jefferson Parish!

2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center proudly presents its 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala! Join us for a fun-filled evening complete with drinks, food, entertainment and a silent auction.

Emcees will be Dennis Woltering and Melanie Hebert. Musical guests the "Yat Pack" will be returning! For a sneak peak, check out their website: www.theyatpack.com

Where: Treasure Chest Casino, 5050 Williams Blvd., Kenner
When: April 20, 2013
           7:00pm-8:00pm Patron Party
           8:00pm-11:00pm Gala

To purchase tickets, please call 504-365-3857.
Regular admission: $65
Patron ticket: $100

For Corporate Sponsorship information, please contact Erika Dupépé at jeffersoncac@att.net.

Super Bowl: The Greatest Sex Trafficking Incident in the United States

Super Bowl: The Greatest Sex Trafficking Incident in the United States

The Super Bowl is considered the greatest sex trafficking incident in the United States. As you are aware, the Super Bowl is in New Orleans this year. While the city will greatly benefit from the increased revenue, we must be conscious of the influx of trafficking victims to the area. 

Sex trafficking is defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as:

“A commercial sex act that was induced through force, fraud or coercion” OR

“A commercial sex act involving a person who is under the age of 18.”

According to the Innocents at Risk—a non-profit that works to end Human Trafficking and provide support to those who have been trafficked--here are indicators that one has been trafficked:

• " Have injuries or signs of physical abuse.
• Appear malnourished.
• Seem disoriented and not know where he or she is.
• Have few personal possessions and always wear the same clothes regardless of the weather or circumstances.
• Not have identification documents.
• Avoid eye contact and appear hesitant to talk to strangers.
• Be fearful of authority figures, especially law enforcement.
• Rarely be allowed to come and go independently and may be accompanied by someone who controls their every movement.
• Work excessively long hours."

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that 10,000 children were brought to the 2010 Super Bowl in Miami to be used for sex (see this article). Pimps—those who sell women and children in the sex trade—recognize that commercial sex is sought in high numbers during the festivities surrounding the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl, therefore, is prime-time for these criminals to profit from those they exploit.   

If you suspect human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

1-888-373-7888

CACLA and JCAC Legislative Open House

Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center
and Children's Advocacy Center's of Louisiana
Legislative Open House

Mark Spears (Councilman, JCAC Board Member), Pam Occhipanti (Chief of Diversion, Jefferson Parish), Barron Burmaster (Executive Assistant District Attorney, Jefferson Parish), Wayne Zimmerman (JCAC Board President), Stephen Wimberly (1st Assistant District Attorney, Jefferson Parish), Paul Connick, Jr. (District Attorney, Jefferson Parish), Erika Dupepe (JCAC Executive Director), Margaret Hay (Chief of Family Violence Unit, Jefferson Parish), Amanda Calogero (Chief of Juvenile, Jefferson Parish), Suzanne Jolissaint (JCAC Forensic Interviewer)

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center and the Children's Advocacy Centers of Louisiana (CACLA) hosted a Legislative Open House on December 13th. State Representatives, City Councilmen, and members of the District Attorney's office toured the JCAC and learned about the important services JCAC provides. 

CACLA is launching an initiative to engage law makers in issues vital to children's advocacy centers (CACs) across the state. The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center was among the first CAC to kick-off this initiative. By inviting legislators to CACs, relationships will be strengthened and leveraged for better outcomes for the children we serve. 

Six Ways to Have a Healthy, Happy Holiday with Your Child

Six Ways to Have a Healthy, Happy Holiday 

with Your Child!

1)      Include your child in the planning and preparations. Kids are creative and can give great ideas for Holiday get-togethers. Let your child pick out some fun games to play or have them help with the baking. You will be making memories before the party even begins!

2)     Be physically active. Burn some calories after loading up on the sweets. Teach your child to maintain a healthy lifestyle by participating in fun activities. Dance to your favorite holiday tunes, take a brisk walk around the block, or try a new sport.

3)      Make sure to have one-to-one time with your child. Many of us feel overwhelmed with the amount of time we are required to spend with our friends and extended family during the Holiday Season. Your child may feel the same. Squeeze in time to be together--just the kids and parents. Start a tradition just for you. 

4)      View the holidays through the eyes of your child. Remember what the Holiday Season felt like when you were little? Try to rekindle those feelings. Be giddy over opening a gift, in awe of the beautiful lights, and enjoy the delicious goodies. Share in the excitement of the holidays with your child.

5)      Give yourself a break. The Holidays are often stressful. A range of thoughts and emotions-- such as family feuds, remembering loved ones who have passed, and anxiety about visitors-- can make this a negative time of year. Please give yourself a break.

6)      Respect your child’s boundaries. Some families expect children to show physical signs of affection to their family members-- like hugs, kisses, or sitting on an adult's lap. Remember that your child has the right to chose when and how they are touched. Respect your child's right to make this choice.

  

Twilight Gardeners Decorate the JCAC for the Holidays!

Twilight Gardeners Decorate for the Holidays!

We would like to express our sincerest appreciation to the Twilight Gardeners for decorating the JCAC this Holiday Season! Each year, since opening our doors in 1991, these wonderful ladies have donated a beautiful Christmas tree and taken time out of their busy schedules to decorate for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas. We deeply appreciate their support and generosity in keeping the JCAC a welcoming, festive place for the children and families we serve each Holiday Season.

Thanksgiving with Jefferson Parish General Services

Thanksgiving with Jefferson Parish General Services

Volunteer Terri and AmeriCorps VISTA Ashley preparing Thanksgiving Dinner for Jefferson Parish General Services. 

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center thanks General Services with an annual Thanksgiving dinner hosted at the center. General Services supports the JCAC by taking care of our house-- from heating, to plumbing, and everything in between. These important services allow JCAC to maintain its child-friendly, home-like center. 

We appreciate everything you do, Jefferson Parish General Services!