The community is urged to come together and celebrate our children at a special lunchtime gathering today.

The event is being organised by local charity Scars (Saving Children and Revealing Secrets) as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The month, run in conjunction with National Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States, aims to acknowledge and boost public awareness about the importance of families, communities and service providers working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of children and families is also a goal of the month, with communities urged to share child abuse prevention strategies and activities, and promote prevention.

Scars founder and executive director Debi Ray-Rivers said: “Educating the public is so important for the protection of our children. Those attending and speaking on Thursday know the importance.

“Any child abuse, whether emotional or physical, it all affects our children. It’s important that all partners come together to collaborate.”

Today’s event, which will be held on the steps of City Hall from noon until 1pm, will include speeches from Governor George Fergusson, Education Minister Wayne Scott, Community Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin and Detective Inspector Mark Clarke, of the Bermuda Police Service.

This year’s Bermuda Idol winner, Samantha Smith, will perform, as will the Northlands school choir.

All residents are encouraged and welcome to attend to show their support for protecting Bermuda’s children.

• For more information about Scars and to attend one of the free monthly training sessions, visit www.scarsbermuda.com.