Walk To Benefit Child Abuse Victims In Syracuse

By Kevin Belbey (NCC News)

Oct. 13, 2010, 7:30 p.m.

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-

The second of eight "Pathway to Healing" walks took place this afternoon and focused on child abuse victims. Julie Cecile, the Executive Director of the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Site, says that the walks are about more than just raising awareness to particular crimes.

"What were trying to do is to represent the path victims may take during their process and their experiences in the road to healing are," said Cecile.

Each month, the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Site chooses a specific type of crime victims and dedicates its monthly walk to raising awareness for that cause. The walks begin outside the Crouse Hospital Emergency Room and end at the Criminal Courthouse.

Cecil also says that one of her main goals with the "Pathway to Healing" walks is to get members of the community involved.

"What we're trying to do is make it a community issue...we want people to come out and support the victims," said Cecile.

Some of the upcoming walks will be in support of victims of domestic and sexual violence, DWI's, and fires.