Lori Paris Reports on the start of Child Abuse Awareness Month

There was a whole lot of shouting going on in the Eaton Centre over the lunch hour, as the mayor, city councillors, media personalities and members of the public took part in the 3rd annual Use Your Voice challenge - an event designed to raise awareness about child abuse.

Listen to Lori Paris' Report

Mayor David Miller has taken part in the event for the past three years, and while he's happy to take part, being number one isn't his goal.

"I do have a big booming voice, but I don't know.  Do I actually want to win this? I want to come a close second. I don't think being the loudest Torontonian is necessary to being a good mayor, but it's a great cause. People don't speak up against child abuse, they just don't. And thats why we're here."

Miller's shout registered 112 decibels - a decent effort, but far from the win

Among the media personalities taking part in the Raise your Voice Challenge was Global news Anchor Anne Marie Mediwake, who was up for the challenge.

"You know what they say about small people? Big mouths," Mediwake said as she prepared for her chance to shout, adding  that as a mother, she's become more aware of the problem of child abuse.

"We read these news stories all the time, about children who are caught in situations like this, who don't have a voice, who are too young, who are trapped, essentially in this cycle of abuse in a place of abuse. Anything we can do to raise awareness of this is a good thing."

Tiny, but mighty, Mediwake screamed at a registered 121 decibels - just under the winning 122 bellow of Aaron Gershon, who stopped by the event on his lunch break.

As winner, Gershon takes home a goodie bag, a "loudest Voice in Toronto" trophy, and bragging rights that he can out-shout the mayor.