A six-woman running team is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect in North Dakota.
Team PCAND is sponsored by Prevent Child Abuse in North Dakota. The nonprofit organization has been dedicated to helping the prevention of child abuse and neglect in the state since 1978.
Team member Leslie Brunette said the team will run several races around the state this fall to raise awareness of the organization. As a child, Brunette suffered abuse.
"Survivor and thriver is kind of my tagline. I say I'm a survivor and thriver and it's because I have overcome," Brunette said. "And it's my faith, I have a really strong Christian faith, and an amazing family. I've forgiven my abuser and I also just believe that there is hope, always."
Brunette said running became her outlet as she overcame her childhood. She wants teenagers in abusive homes to know there is “light at the end of the tunnel.”
"Sometimes people may not understand what they are doing being the abuser," Brunette said. "That's what they've known and they are abusing as well. I think that any awareness that we can raise will help not just the abused children but maybe the abusers will stop."
Brunette' her goal is to help other children realize they can stop the abusive cycle and survive and thrive too.
Karen Van Fossen is communications director for PCAND. She says too many children are neglected and abused.
"What's happening more and more over time is that people are seeing that by being a neighbor, by getting to know the kids in the neighborhood and by reaching out to families in stress, that the whole community can surround that family and support those children," Van Fossen said.
Van Fossen says a person suspects child abuse or neglect he or she should call 911 and file a report.