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Hundreds wear blue to prevent child abuse

"I was sexually abused when I was eight years old, it's a trauma that no one should have to go through..."

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Hundreds of people around the state were wearing the color blue today for a very important cause: child abuse prevention.

Brittney Blackerby's passion for this issue stems from personal experience.

Her “Break the Silence” platform was created to help build positive change surround this issue.

“We all have a choice to how we react to what life throws at us,” said Blackerby.

What once was a childhood experience for her has now turned into a viral social media movement.

"I was sexually abused when I was eight years old, it's a trauma that no one should have to go through. I'm not happy that it happened, even though so much positive has come out of it,” she added.

Wednesday, Blackerby hit the road to educate hundreds across Arkansas about child abuse.

“Four years ago, I somehow came up with Wear Blue Day because I realized it's a very simple opportunity for people to participate in. You don't have to spend money, all you have to do is grab something blue out of your closet and wear it to work, school, wherever you are,” said Blackerby.

She’s thankful the platform allows her a chance to share her testimony and hopes through her own strength others who've experienced similar traumas will have courage to "Break the Silence.”

“As a nurse that sees tons of child abuse cases daily, I chose to wear the shirt and support her, spread awareness and get the word out about child abuse,” said Allison Burton, an ER Nurse at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Blackerby is creating conversation that leads to education about the warning signs of child abuse and recovery.

She describes her fourth year event as crazy, in a good way!

“Today, I started at 8 a.m. in Star City, Ark.. I visited several schools and businesses in Star City because the area has shown so much love and support,” said Blackerby.

Her second stop was in Little Rock at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Third stop, Sheridan.

People of all ages have continued to share their photos. All helping to spread the message and lay a foundation for Blackerby's work to continue.

“From there we will go to Arkadelphia, Ark. since I spent six years there at Henderson State University going to school. There's so many wearing blue there. And then we'll wrap it back into Sheridan and have a full day, pretty much like an eight to five job,” she said.

Wear Blue Day is celebrated during April in conjunction with Child Abuse Awareness Month.

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