La Vergne Police Department and other local agencies are partnering with The Child Advocacy Center in Rutherford and Cannon Counties for the 9th annual international "19 Days of Activism for the Prevention of Abuse and Violence toward Children and Youth."

The main focus this year is the impact Child Sexual and Physical Abuse has on children. Child sexual abuse is likely the most prevalent health problem children face the most serious array of consequences. This is a traumatic experience for children and teens.

Our focus will include education for parents, caregivers, relatives, and children. We realize through current data and trends that, while no child is immune, there are child and family characteristics that significantly heighten or lower the risk of abuse. There are identifiable risk factors based on reported and identified cases. About one in ten children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.

While identified incidents of child sexual abuse are declining, there is no clear indication of why. We feel that through education, stepped-up prevention efforts, specialized policing, and the deterrence afforded by offenders' prosecutions, this declining trend will continue.  

La Vergne Police Department focuses on this problem with outreach programs in our community.

Efforts to prevent child abuse include Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children training. This training is available free of charge to educators, youth-serving organizations, parents, faith communities, caregivers, teens, and young adults. This training will also fulfill specific state requirements and continuing education hours for organizations that serve children.

Anyone interested in the free training may contact Sgt. Sheree Robertson, an authorized facilitator with Darkness to Light, for further information or set up training. Her email is sroberson@lavergnetn.gov, and her direct phone number is 615-287-8618.

La Vergne Police Department provides annual in-service training to our officers on child sexual and physical abuse.

This training includes recognizing the signs and steps needed for successful prosecution. We also train our officers on Human Trafficking of minors, another form of child sexual abuse.  

Law Enforcement representatives from La Vergne Police Department participate in various community outreach and prevention activities throughout the year. La Vergne Police Department will continue to reach out to our community and partner with other organizations to prevent child sexual and physical abuse. We believe that every child deserves a safe and happy childhood.