Asking abused kids to speak up
There’s still time to see Project
Nightlight’s billboard on Abbot Kinney offering hope and a child abuse
hotline.
Project Nightlight is a Venice based
non-profit organization, which inspires children to speak up if they are being
abused. Project Nightlight hopes to create more awareness and help more
teens reach out. Adults are encouraged to get involved as well.
Project Nightlight collaborated with
Venice artist LeeAnn Goya to design the billboard. It features the child abuse
hotline alongside a cartoon-like drawing by Goya saying, “The light in a
child is love.” The billboard on Abbot Kinney Blvd. and Westminster
Avenue will be up until August
15th.
The organization offers several
awareness programs for children and teens in L.A. County. Project Nightlight
also offers programs for children and teens recovering from abuse, such as
granting wishes or providing lessons for them.
The organization was founded in 2003
by child abuse survivor, Stacia Oemig. Because of the abuse in her own past,
Oemig knew first hand about the fear and shame that almost always prevents
children from reporting abuse. In the United States, less than 0.1 percent of
all abuse is reported by the child. Most abuse is reported by teachers and
it is usually only abuse that can be seen by others that is reported, such as
bruising on the arms and face. Unfortunately most physical and sexual abuse is
never reported because only the victim knows that it is occurring.
In less than four years, Project
Nightlight has posted 500 billboards advertising the child abuse hotline and
touched the lives of hundreds of Los Angeles children.
Adults don’t report abuse
because they don’t want to offend the abuser who may be a neighbor,
friend, co-worker or relative.
Project Nightlight is actively seeking
volunteers and donations. Go to www.projectnightlight.org or call
310-991-1852.
For More info contact:
kathyleonardo@msn.com or (310) 428-1109.
Posted: Wed - August 1, 2007 at 06:58 AM