National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month were both acknowledged in an event at the Father Diaferio Housing Development on April 6, 2015. The Women's Center Executive Director Pamela MacLeod-Lima, who emceed the event, stated "Working together, we can bring about positive change in our community, We must talk to our neighbors, co-workers, family and friends to raise awareness of the problem of domestic and sexual violence in our community, emphasizing prevention, and empowering every child, teen or adult who is violated or abused to speak up and be heard.” She ten introduced Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn, III,  Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) Executive Director Michelle Loranger, and Fall River Housing Authority Executive Director David Sullivan who then introduced Fall River Mayor Samuel Sutter who read a proclamation following his remarks. Parents and children were then invited to access information tables on safety and healthy living.  Click here for an 18-minute video of the event. Click here for photos and video from a recent CAC Legislative Breakfast  For more information, contact CAC Director of Development Vangy Auclair at 508-674-6111.

(Top row, left) Bristol County District Attorney Community Affairs Community Manager Eric Poulin talks with Fall River Housing Authority Executive Director David Sullivan before the program began. (Top row, center) The Women's Center Executive Director Pamela MacLeod-Lima chats with Special Victims Unit Chief Silvia Rudman and CAC Director of Development Vangy Auclair. (Top row, right) Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn, III holds still while his Executive Assistant, Ashley Bendiksen, pins a abuse prevention ribbon on his lapel. (Row three) Fall River Mayor Sam Sutter greets staff members while Children's Advocacy Center Executive Director Michelle Loranger talks with Pam MacLeod-Lima before she begins her remarks. (Bottom row, center and right) Children from the family housing development enjoy pizza after the event while ten-year-old Rahmell Gonzalez-Brown talks with Mayor Sutter.