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When Millet Dunkin was asked by the staff of  the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center if she and her sewing club at First Baptist Church of Troy, would make face masks for the  agency’s staff, multidisciplinary team members and children who will be interviewed for emergency forensic interviews, the sewing club delivered in less than an hour.

“Our multidisciplinary team includes the Department of Human Resources and law enforcement, it is most important that we have face masks when conducting interviews with children,” said Temeka Teague, Pike CAC Intervention Program Director/Family Advocate.”We are so appreciative of the willingness and eagerness of Mrs. Dunkin and her sewing club to respond to our need. We cannot thank them enough.”

Teague said April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and, in a normal April, the Pike Regional CAC would have promotions and activities planned to bring greater awareness to child abuse and prevention.

“But this is not a normal April,” Teague said. “But the needs at the CAC remain as we continue in our efforts to prevent and address child abuse here in our area.”

Teague said with school being out and children staying home, the situations that foster child abuse could and may increase.

“Right now, the number of reported incidents of possible child abuse is down but we expect that number to increase significantly when school is back in session,” Teague said. “When children are with their friends and with teachers they trust, they are more likely to disclose situations where they were made to feel uncomfortable or were physically abused.”

Teague said child abuse is real and the CAC is a place of refuge for the children and provides protection and support for them, their parents and family members who are also caught up in abusive situations.

“We encourage the public to ‘like’ the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center on Facebook and Instagram to be informed about our services,” Teague said. “We also encourage our community to support the needs of the CAC through the purchase of T-shirts, ribbons and pinwheels throughout April which is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Donations are always needed and appreciated.

The number to call for information and donations is 334-670-048