MURFREESBORO - In 1983, Congress declared April to be National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Since then, communities across our nation and here in Rutherford and Cannon Counties have taken this opportunity to raise community awareness about child abuse.

The Rutherford County Coalition Against Child Abuse hosted the Child Abuse Prevention Month Kick-off on Monday, April 1, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. at the Murfreesboro Police Department.

The event was open to the public and the community was encouraged to attend and show their support of child abuse victims and the professionals who are dedicated to providing safety, justice, and healing for child victims.

The Presentation of Colors was conducted by Riverdale High School JROTC. The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Det. Tommy Roberts from Murfreesboro Police Department.

The speakers at the event were:

• Brittnie Noble, Rutherford County Coalition Against Child Abuse
• Jennings Jones, District Attorney General for the 16th District
• Christina Moody, Department of Children's Services
• General William C. Whitesell, Jr., Retired District Attorney General for the 16th Judicial District

Every year the Rutherford County Coalition Against Child Abuse presents the General William C. Whitesell Award for outstanding dedication to justice and service to child abuse victims. Each of the nominees has worked tirelessly to respond to child abuse cases.

The 2019 award nominees were:

• Venessa Hyer, Department of Children's Services
• Shirley Key, Smyrna Police Department
• Detective Michael Yates, Murfreesboro Police Department Special Victims Unit

The 2019 winner of the General William C. Whitesell Award was Venessa Hyer from the Department of Children's Services. Hyer was nominated by members of the Rutherford County Coaltion Against Child Abuse.

Sgt. Paul Mongold, his daughter Miss Aida Mongold, and Det. Michael Yates daughter Emma Yates concluded the event by raising the Children's Memorial Flag. The flag symbolizes children lost to violence.

"The mission of the Rutherford County Coalition Against Child Abuse is to provide education and promote community services toward prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse," said Coalition Chairperson Brittnie Noble. The next monthly meeting will be held April 30, 2019 at 9:00 am at Murfreesboro City School District located at 2552 South Church Street.

For more information about the Rutherford County Coalition Against Child Abuse, contact Brittnie Noble at the Child Advocacy Center at 615-867-9000.