Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham signed a proclamation acknowledging April as Child Abuse Awareness Month. Heather Warden, left, child forensic interviewer for Junior’s House, accepts a copy of the proclamation from Graham. Junior’s House, which has a satellite location in Shelbyville, is a child advocacy center representing the interests of children who have been victims of abuse. A child advocacy center provides a safe, friendly place at which victims of suspected abuse can be interviewed by trained professionals, providing accurate information to the appropriate parties with the least possible trauma or disruption for the young victim. Bedford County recently worked with Junior’s House to secure a new location for the program in Shelbyville.

Junior’s House operates with a variety of funding sources, including public fund-raisers. The group’s 18th Annual Blue Ribbon Walk will be held May 12 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville; a Bedford County fundraiser is in the discussion stages.

For more information, go to www.juniorshousecac.org.