'Time to take the message further': Child Abuse Prevention Month kicks off

April 06--EDWARDSVILLE -- That awareness must lead to action was one of the messages Friday at the annual kick-off of Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Madison County Administration Building.

About 120 people came out for the event, one of a number across the state over the past few days.

In addition to speakers, there were representatives of about a dozen service providers and advocacy groups handing out information.

The event is sponsored by Third Judicial Circuit Family Violence Prevention Council, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Prevent Child Abuse Illinois.

It was emceed by Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder, co-chair of the Third Circuit Family Violence Prevention Council. Other speakers included Tarra Winters of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, Janel Angell of DCFS, State's Attorney Tom Gibbons and Associate Judge Maureen Schuette, presiding judge of the Family Division.

The crowd was surrounded by pinwheels, ribbons and cutout of children, along with a display of decorated t-shirts. While festive-looking, each symbolized something grim -- from children interviewed as part of an abuse allegation, to actual victims of abuse.

This year's theme was "Supporting Great Childhoods."

"We need to raise awareness that child abuse, including child sexual abuse, and neglect, happens in every community," said Winters. "We need to talk about how it happens, who's at risk, and who's doing the abusing."

However, she said it is "time to take the message further" and encourage a "call to action."

According to Angell, there are currently 16,000 Illinois children in child and youth care, with 42 percent of them coming into care in the first three years of life, and half of the new arrivals are from this group.

"Children birth to three cannot speak for themselves," Angell said. "They cannot protect themselves. They cannot feed themselves, clean themselves or learn by themselves except as they react to their immediate surroundings. And they also are largely out of sight of everyone except their immediate families and possibly a couple of neighbors or parents' friends."

She also said that not only the children suffer when abuse occurs.

"Our communities are less safe and less stable," she said. "Our whole well-being as citizens and as communities will suffer."

She said abuse has a major impact on child development.

"In Madison County we have also experienced an increase of teenagers coming into our care whose parents are unable to cope with their behaviors," she said. "When did these problem behaviors develop? Perhaps if there is a silver lining to the increase of zero- to three-year-olds entering care, it is the impact of early intervention with their families."

Gibbons noted that there are many ways to help prevent child abuse, and many people already do that.

"Every time someone gives a little of themselves to volunteer for the benefit of kids," he said, citing everyone from teachers and daycare workers to those providing financial support for children's agencies. "Anyone who donates their time, energy and financial resources to the cause of supporting great childhoods for kids is helping prevent child abuse. The more support and connection that kids have, the less likely they are to become victims."

Schuette talked about two new developments at the courthouse over the past several months: the renovation of the children's room on the second floor, and plans to bring in a courthouse facility dog.

She said the children's room serves as a place where children can go to relieve the stress of the courthouse setting.

"Children are often present at the courthouse for numerous reasons," she said. "They may be there with a parent who has a hearing, or there to talk to a family judge, and sometimes they are even there about their own juvenile matter."

She said several weeks ago, volunteers spent a weekend renovating the room, something that hasn't been done in about 10 years.

Renovations included repainting the room "sunshine yellow," and they are also in the process of refurnishing it with a new flat screen TV, new toys and furniture.

A ribbon cutting and dedication is expected to be held within a few weeks.

To report suspected abuse or neglect call the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 800-25-ABUSE 800-252-2873. If a child is in immediate danger call 911 first. For more information visit www2.illinois.gov/dcfs or www.preventchildabuseillinois.org.

Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447.

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