A committee of seven Central Otago people has organised the remembrance service, which takes the form of a concert featuring young performers. The programme for the event includes speakers on the topic of child abuse and the evening will conclude with a candlelight ceremony.
"We're a group of people from diverse backgrounds but we all have one thing in common - we want to raise awareness of child abuse and reflect on what many New Zealand children have to endure," committee member Vicky Whyte, of Roxburgh, said.
Mrs Whyte, together with Andrew Kibblewhite and Shirley Marsden, of Roxburgh, Denise Black and Carin Halliday, of Alexandra, Lyndamary Hamlin and Noreen How-Johns, of Cromwell, have joined forces to organise the remembrance event, which begins at 3pm.
"We're not do-gooders but we all care about children," Mrs Whyte said.
They hope it will grow into a national event, with a day set aside every year dedicated to victims of child abuse.
"This is a chance to get many organisations and agencies working together and it's an opportunity for people to stop turning a blind eye to what's happening in this country," Mr Kibblewhite said.
Butchers dam was chosen as a venue because of its central location and because it was "wild and free, and like a children's playground", Mrs Whyte said.
The remembrance event will span several hours, and families as well as individuals are welcome.
It will be held next to the Flat Top Hill reserve. A small stage will be set up near the dam.
The slope leading down to the dam would act as a natural amphitheatre and people should bring deck chairs and rugs to sit on, Mrs Whyte said.
Parents were asked to keep an eye on their children, but the organisers had also arranged to have adults patrolling near the water's edge.
"The event will be kind of like a children's Sweetwaters [music festival]," Mrs Whyte said.
There is no entry charge, although donations were welcome, and food would be available onsite.
There was room for more food providers, so anyone interested was asked to contact Mrs Whyte, on 03 446 9000.
The organisers were unsure how many people would attend the service but had been impressed by the support so far - "especially as it's seen as a politically incorrect topic", Mrs Whyte said.
It will begin with a karakia. Speakers include Children's Commissioner John Angus, of Lowburn.
Helium-filled balloons will be released as part of the ceremony, and a lone piper will play, followed by three minutes' silence as lit candles are set afloat on the dam to conclude the evening about 7.30pm.
