Tyler

By CINDY MALLETTE
Staff Writer

Students at John Tyler High School know that every 10 seconds, a child is abused in Texas. They also know that in Smith County last year, 526 children were abused.

"How must they feel each day as they walk out their front door?" asked Assistant Principal Brian Wheeler. "We're here to listen how."

Students, teachers, Child Protective Services workers and law enforcement officials gathered in the John Tyler theater Friday to learn about different types of abuse and to raise awareness to the sad statistics in their own county.

Carol Boyle, Child Development teacher, organized the event, which officially launched Child Abuse Awareness Month in Tyler. For months now, her students have been gathering pairs of shoes to represent the children beaten, battered and bruised in Smith County. On Friday, 526 pairs of shoes adorned the theater's stage.

"I'm proud to be able to do this," Ms. Boyle said. "We need to raise more awareness about child abuse in Tyler and Smith County."

Charlotte Sanders, a Tyler CPS worker, told attendees about the history of the blue ribbons people wear to mark Child Abuse Awareness Month. In 1989, she said, New York City resident Bonnie Findley's grandson was killed as a result of abuse and neglect. Ms. Findley put a blue ribbon on her car and drove it around her neighborhood, so other people would know about the tragedy.

Ms. Sanders shared that three children each day are fatal victims of abuse and neglect, most of them infants less than 1 year old.

"It doesn't just impact one particular neighborhood," she said. "It impacts each one."

Ms. Sanders worked with Ms. Boyle to organize the event and encouraged the students to bring the shoes to school.

"This shows you guys can meet the challenge," she said.

The shoes will be on display at the Smith County Courthouse on April 19, when county officials will recognize Child Abuse Awareness Month with a proclamation.

Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle encouraged students to report any abuse they see.

"If you're in a fight or confrontation, what are you told to do? Walk away," he said. "That's not the case with child abuse. It's not something you can walk away from. We want you to report it."

Afterward, theater students did a skit representing children who suffer from the four types of abuse: neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. School nurse Dawn Johnson followed the skit by singing "Greatest Love of All."

District 1 City Councilman Steve Smith read a proclamation from the mayor's office, officially declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Tyler.

"When you think about child abuse and the damage it does, it's almost incomprehensible," he said.

Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle addresses the students at John Tyler High School during the city of Tyler’s declaration of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
(Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carerro)