The CARE Center paints the town blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month

In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, London Lockhart with The CARE Center joined us live on the Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch to discuss Paint the Town Blue, an annual awareness campaign that aims to uplift child survivors and engage the community in standing against abuse. Here's what she had to say:

Q: What is Paint the Town Blue?

London Lockhart: "Paint the Town Blue is the CARE Center's annual awareness campaign in which we support Child Abuse Prevention Month. So this is a month-long campaign, and really for the CARE Center, it's more than a campaign. It's a movement to celebrate the kids who have had strong voices and bravery to share their stories, to stand up next to them, and stand against child abuse."

Q: How are local businesses getting involved?

Lockhart: "We’re honored to have partnered with many local businesses in our city. You can go to any business to support Paint the Town Blue. We have blue coffee sleeves at Stella Nova, blue donuts at Hurts Donuts. We even have a blue cocktail at the Jones Assembly and wild blue pancakes at Cafe Kakao."

Q: Why is it important for victims to have a voice?

Lockhart: "So we know that nationally and locally, one in seven children will be victims of abuse before their 18th birthday. Ninety percent of children will be abused by someone that they know, love and trust. And so this campaign, this movement is so important to us that we stand up against child abuse and stand next to those children."

Q: What can Oklahoma City expect to see throughout April?

Lockhart: "So if you're driving in the city and you just look up, you will see that the Skydance Bridge will be blue, Crystal Bridge will be blue, all in honor of these children and Child Abuse Prevention Month."

Q: How can the public participate?

Lockhart: "You yourself, you can wear blue. If you want to encourage your family, your school, your workers to wear blue with you, take a picture, tag us on social media at @CareCenterOK."

Q: What’s the message you want people to take away this month?

Lockhart: "We just want to encourage folks to get out there and [let] this kind of be on the forefront of their minds."

For more information or to support the movement, follow @CareCenterOK on social media or visit participating businesses throughout the city.