True to their endearing mission of providing the resources and healing that child victims of sexual assault so richly deserve, Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center is launching into 2025 with boundless love and an elevated focus on the mental health of these young victims.

Dove House provides a wide array of services to child victims of sexual assault – as well as their non-offending family members – and all their direct services are provided at no cost to the client. 

Amid staggering statistics – post-pandemic estimates reveal the number of children struggling with anxiety and depression skyrocketed from 5.8 million to 7.3 million, an increase of more than 1.5 million – the pursuit of healing goes on.

“The good news in all of this is that we, as Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center and our multidisciplinary team, are leading from the front lines and are already engaged in much of the work,” shares Executive Director Beth McKeithan. “Both of our signature events this year will have a mental health emphasis, and we’re working hard to focus on the prevention side as well as the healing side once the abuse has occurred.”

Research reveals that many victim-survivors report ongoing adverse impacts on their mental health and well being including anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders and disturbances, sleep disruption and insomnia, and dissociation. Long-term clinical psychiatric diagnoses associated with child sexual abuse include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and personality disorders. Sexual abuse in children is associated with adverse health conditions in both childhood and adulthood, with many also interconnected with the mental health impacts of abuse. General health, gastrointestinal health, gynecological or reproductive health, pain (including in the immediate term from injuries or longer term chronic conditions), cardiopulmonary health and body mass index are all frequently impacted.

The message is clear – what you do matters more than ever!

“Your support is vital to sustaining our mission,” Beth adds. “This year, our events will focus on mental health, aligning with our commitment to prevention and healing. By attending, donating or volunteering, you can play a role in ensuring that every child who needs us has access to compassionate care and regular lifesaving resources.”

Sadly, child advocacy centers across North Carolina are facing a 90% federal funding budget cut. That means the need for support is a desperate one so that services can be provided on a consistent basis – giving children a chance to truly heal. Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center is committed to addressing this crisis head on in order to continue the process of building a brighter future for children who are survivors. The team works tirelessly in three areas:

• Ensuring children receive the healing they deserve.
• Emphasizing prevention to reduce instances of abuse in our community.
• Supporting children and families in the wake of trauma.

Protecting and healing the most vulnerable members of our community is an ongoing outreach for Dove House! This year’s signature event – An Evening for Dove House – will be held Saturday, April 12th, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at a new location, The Venues at Dale Earnhardt Inc. in Mooresville. The evening – “Let’s Race for Dove House” – will include delicious local gourmet food, a music-filled after party you won’t want to miss and both a live and silent auction. 

A hint to Lake Norman residents: If you’re a business owner, could you donate your product or services to the auction? Do you own a vacation home and could donate a week or weekend stay? Dove House is also looking for donations of bottles of wine, bourbon or high end liquor for the event, or you can support local businesses by donating gift certificates for restaurants, spas or other services to the Dove House auction.

For auction donations, table sponsorships or ticket information, contact Amy Stevens, director of development, at 704.883.9814 ext.103 or email amy@dovehouse.us.

Discover more about Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center, a fully accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Iredell and Alexander counties, at Dovehousecac.org, and follow them on Instagram @dovehouse_cacnc.