Oxford, AL – Yesterday, Oxford’s Veteran’s Memorial Park’s Amphitheatre was illuminated with hope and solidarity as the 2nd Annual No Excuse for Child Abuse Candlelight Vigil took place, organized by CASA of the Cheaha Region and Evelyn Moon Children’s Services. This significant event, supported by the Calhoun Cleburne Children’s Advocacy Center and the Calhoun County Department of Human Resources, aimed to raise awareness and advocate for the prevention of child abuse.
Sponsored for the second consecutive year by figures including Presiding Family Court Judge Peggy Lacher, District Judge Tom Wright, Circuit Judge Jennifer Weems, and Circuit Judge Bud Turner, the vigil gathered community members, advocates, and officials to stand against child abuse.
Keynote speaker John Blanton delivered a poignant address, sharing his own experiences of abuse and the profound impact of case workers and his adoptive family. Nikita Sherer, representing Evelyn Moon Children’s Services, shed light on their nonprofit mission to empower children and caregivers to combat maltreatment, while CEO and Co-founder Teresa Simmons-Ross emphasized the importance of collective action in safeguarding children’s well-being.
Laura Miller, Executive Director of CASA of the Cheaha Region, underscored the critical role of community engagement in addressing child abuse, stating, “The majority of our community only know of the extent of child abuse from what they can read in the local news, however they will never hear about the hundreds of children per year who undergo catastrophic abuse right under our noses. They all have stories and they all need changing. Awareness events like this vigil tonight aim at including the community in this fight against child abuse that we can’t fight alone for children who shouldn’t have to.”
Presiding Family Court Judge Peggy Lacher highlighted the indispensable support provided by CASA and advocates, noting their transformative impact on the lives of vulnerable children. Andy Beavers, Interim Director for the Calhoun Cleburne Children’s Center, emphasized the collaborative efforts of various agencies in responding to child abuse allegations and providing ongoing support to victims and families. “We have a group of team members, DHR, the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement investigators, and counselors, and when a complaint is made of sex crimes against a child the team comes together we start our investigation and we also counsel the victim through the process and then also after the court case is over, we continue the counseling. This event is just a great community statement on how we have to stamp out child abuse and it starts in our own communities.”
Representatives from the District Attorney’s office, the Sheriff’s Office, Oxford Police Department, and Jacksonville Police Department joined the vigil, symbolizing a unified commitment to safeguarding children and prosecuting offenders.
The solemn ceremony really started with Presiding Family Court Judge Peggy Lacher, District Judge Tom Wright, Circuit Judge Jennifer Weems, and Probate Judge-Elect Shirley Millwood lighting candles for participants, symbolizing hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
The Second Annual No Excuse for Child Abuse Candlelight Vigil served as a powerful reminder of the community’s collective responsibility to protect and nurture its youngest members, fostering a safe and supportive environment for all children to thrive.
