JAMAICA, NY --- (
www.YORKATHLETICS.com) For the second year in a row, York College softball raised awareness about April's National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through this collaboration, prevention services and supports help protect children and produce thriving families. The Cardinals took to the field on April 15 to support the cause. Prior to opening pitch against Lehman College, York held up statement signs to create awareness about child abuse prevention. The Cardinals also sported blue ribbons to increase awareness.
Children are the future and it is important to protect them as best as we can, not only from physical abuse, but also from sexual and psychological abuse. – York softball student-athlete Kiara Gonzalez
According to child abuse statistics, a child is abused or neglected every 47 seconds in the U.S. Children learn from what they see, and in order to break that pattern, it is important to take charge and educate one another. We stand up for those children who have been physically, mentally, and sexually abused. Preventing child abuse and neglect starts with you. - York softball student-athlete Mary Cuevas
It is important that we advocate to end child abuse so that children have the ability to grow up and live freely without fearing for their lives. Childhood is an important time to develop and learn about the world around us. When children are in households or in environments where they face abuse, they learn that no one can be trusted and they need to live in fear, especially if that abuse comes from someone they love and look up to such as a parent. The abuse they face as a child can then affect the way they interact with people as they get older. This also affects their trust and ability to love others as well as the ability to live life in general. An unfortunate cycle is created when they also become abusive to their children, and it continues to the next generation. Advocating against child abuse can bring awareness. We show our support for the children who are currently victims of abuse as well as for those who have experienced childhood abuse in the past. It is important to acknowledge the children who have unfortunately lost their lives to abuse, and bring attention to the things people do that they may not realize is abusive to children. - York softball student-athlete Melissa Noble
In 2020, York created a public service announcement that showcased members of the softball program providing key information to highlight the need to end child abuse by creating conditions for strong and thriving families and communities where children are free from abuse and neglect. The video concludes with a collective chorus of "You. Me. We can prevent child abuse."
To learn more about National Child Abuse Prevention Month, please visit
www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth
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Courtesy of York Sports Information