A “Blue Out,” during which everyone is asked to wear blue to support the awareness and prevention of child abuse, and a candlelight walk are set for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, at Penn State York. Students in the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) Club have organized the event to show their support for victims of child abuse in light of the recent events at Penn State. The event is open to the public.
"The HD FS Club is saddened by recent events that have surfaced at Penn State. We wish to show our support for these victims as well as all victims of abuse,” said Rose Devlin, vice president of the HD FS Club and a senior majoring in HDFS. “While the topic of abuse is hard to discuss for many, it is unfortunately a problem that must be faced head on. We want our community to be aware of such issues and pledge to take a stand and be a voice for the powerless children who fall victim to such heinous acts. We would like everyone to join us in this effort."
Those who wish to participate in the event should meet at the Nittany Lion statue located outside the John J. Romano Administration Building near the Edgecomb Avenue entrance to campus. The candlelight walk will encircle the campus one time culminating at the lobby of the Main Classroom Building where Kelly Moon, instructor in human development and family studies, will deliver brief remarks about the HDFS Club’s pledge tree project to raise awareness of child abuse prevention. Those participating will be asked to sign a pledge and then place it on the tree which will be displayed in the building lobby throughout the rest of the semester.
“This event is being done to express solidarity with the victims of child abuse and is a visible sign of our community, unified against child abuse and in support of Penn State’s moral imperative to do the right thing, the first time, every time," said Moon.
Pledge participants will be asked to sign the following: “I believe that every child has a right to grow up free from the shadow of abuse. I believe that the responsibility to protect children rests solely in adult hands. I believe that, as adults, we must remain ever vigilant and dedicate no less than the best of ourselves to that purpose. To all the victims of abuse, male and female, adult and children, known and unknown: I pledge to educate myself about the realities of child abuse; I pledge to give a voice and report any and all suspicions; I pledge to cast a light in the darkness by doing the right thing the first time, every time.”
The program is slated to end by 6 p.m. in order for students and faculty to be on time for evening classes.