Vigil sheds light on child abuse
by Courtney Bullard, co-associate editor
In recognition of Child Abuse Awareness Month, the student
organizations at South Plains College hosted a candle light
vigil.
Students came together in the Sundown
Room of the Student Center on April 3 to light candles in
memory of all children who have suffered from child abuse.
The evening began with a welcome and
prayer by Julie Scott, vice president of Phi Theta Kappa,
followed by the “Star Spangled Banner,” which was sung by
Latrice Price, vice president of the Black Students
Organization. Ashley Martinez, president of the Student
Government Association, then explained why the color blue
was used for Child Abuse Awareness Month.
According to Martinez, in 1989, Bonnie
Finnie from Virginia tied a blue ribbon on her car antenna
as a constant symbol to represent the bruises that are left
on the bodies of abused children after her grandson died as
a result of child abuse. Martinez struggled with her words
as she told this story, before listing the statistics and
the many ways to help. Chris Spence, the president of the
Gay/Straight Alliance, also read a poem.
The vigil also featured guest speaker
Hockley County District Attorney Gary Goff, who spoke about
his own encounters with child abuse cases.
“Don’t try to get your mind around the
1.1 million children,” Goff said in reference to the 1.1
million cases of child abuse reported. “Think of one he or
she needs your compassion, concern, and your life.”
The other guest speaker was Court
Appointed Special Advocate Beth Parsly.
“Lubbock has the highest amount of
confirmed cases of child abuse in this area,” said Parsly,
“twice as many as Dallas.”
Parsly also said that CASA is always
looking for volunteers. Volunteers must be at least 18 years
old and pass a criminal background check. They also ask for
a year’s commitment to the program, if possible.
The speakers were followed by a dance
by BSO members Aaron Smith, Markus Johnson, Derrick Reescano,
Jeremy Washington and Derrick Taylor. Karen Martinez,
president of the Hispanic Student Organization, read a poem
as well.
SPC student Crystal Orosco presented a
slide show and spoke about her personal experiences. The
crowd sat in silence listening to the emotional accounts of
child abuse from Orosco, the main organizer of this event.
She courageously shared her own unfortunate events her
family endured to emphasize her message that child abuse can
affect anyone from all walks of life. Orsoco’s three
nephews were taken into foster care, and this compelled
Orosco to spread the word about child abuse.
As “Amazing Grace” was sung by BSO
member Jamilla Ward, the crowd lit their candles without
speaking a word. The sight of the group coming together out
of respect for those who have died or were injured
physically or emotionally by child abuse brought many to
tears.
The event helped to bring awareness of
child abuse to the community. Information about child abuse
and parenting tips also were distributed to those in
attendance.
Special Guests for the night were
members of the Lubbock Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse
(BACA).
“We are not a motorcycle club,” said BJ
“Twister” Price, a member of BACA. “We’re a non-profit
group, and our goal is to empower abused children so they
don’t have to be afraid in the world they live in now.”
BACA members will go to court with
their assigned child, and if the child does not feel safe,
they will spend a day with the child at their house. They
always work in accordance with the law and have a close
relationship with the police. Many of the members of the
group stated how close they get to the children, and how
they adopt each other and become like family.
To be a member of BACA, you must pass
FBI criminal background checks. The organization meets at
the Elks Lodge on 34th Street and Milwaukee
Avenue at 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of every month.
Anyone can attend.
For more information on child abuse and
ways to help go to http// www.dfps.state.TX. To become a
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), call (806)894-4772.
To get in contact with BACA, call toll free at (877)
544-2153 or go to www.bacainternational.org.
