ACFS Purple Patrol

Submitted by Danielle Oakes

On October 18, 2013 the Purple Patrol was in full force in the community of Akwesasne. The purple patrol was developed to encourage community members to participate in promoting Child Abuse Awareness. We asked people within the three districts of Akwesasne to wear purple on October 18th in support to help stop child abuse. There were teams of two ACFS staff in every district from 9:00am-3:00pm on Friday. The response from our community was amazing. We averaged over 100 people in each district. If a person was caught wearing purple they were kindly asked why they wore purple that day. A majority of the community wore purple with pride in support of our efforts to put a stop to child abuse. It was a beautiful sight to see community members and Council go above and beyond to show their support.

We had one agency who decided to have a purple potluck luncheon. Each of their staff was wearing purple from head to toe, and community members were even putting up purple lights and decorating their homes in purple webs. It was a proud feeling to see all the community members participate in this year’s event and to help promote awareness in our efforts to stop child abuse.

Akwesasne Child and Family Services educates our community, including parents, about the role of Akwesasne Child and Family Services in the community, so that children can be protected and families can get the services they need. Everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe. A.C.F.S. has an important message for everyone concerned about the well-being of children: “Help protect children in our community Get involved, USE YOUR VOICE.”

In recognition of each person who was caught wearing purple on Friday and answered our question correctly they were entered in a draw for a Mini IPAD to be drawn on October 31st. Our efforts to promote Child Abuse Awareness for the month of October continue with a trivia on CKON Monday mornings and Friday afternoons with Reen Cook. Also there are trivia questions and a ballot box at the front entrance of Kanonhkwatsheri:io Health Facility. Both these promotions will run until October 31. We would like to say Niawen:kowa Akwesasne for your continued support, together we can stop child abuse. If you suspect a child is being abused contact Akwesasne Child and Family Services at 613 575 2341 ext. 3139.