April is the start to Child Abuse Prevention Month

(KBSI) – April is child abuse prevention month. Lots of activities and events to help raise awareness will be scheduled throughout the month. Shawnna Rhines is the outreach coordinator for the southern seven health department, she talks about some of those events. 

 “Were going to be involved in activities taking place throughout union county Illinois. It’s going to start on April third with our annual Proclamation Day that’s where we come together with representatives and agencies throughout the county and sign a proclamation saying that we do stand against child abuse in our region.” 

During this event people can come out and talk with representatives on how to stop child abuse in the region. Shawnna Rhine shares more ways you can get involved during the month of April. 

“Were having a pj and movies night in Anna from 6-8pm. Its going to be at KiKis coffee house and that activity and other activities throughout the region are just designed to give children a safe place to come and get information as well as for their families.” 

According to the National Childrens Alliance in 2021 1,820 children died from child abuse or neglect and in 2023 the Illinois Department of Children and Family services received more 231,500 calls of child abuse. Thats more than 600 calls a day.

Teirney Stutz is the executive deputy director for the Illinois department of children and family services, and she says stopping child abuse is a community effort. 

“Whether you work for the IDCFS, whether you’re a community partner or somebody who lives on a block where there’s children, we all have to work together to ensure safe and loving homes for our children.” 

Stutz says the goal is figuring how to provide support and resources to each and every child and family before the abuse happens.

She says the DCFS call center does a remarkable job with helping families. 

“They don’t only listen to see if this something on whether DCFS is going to investigated but what they’re really listening for is what child abuse prevention month is all about. It’s how can we support and help make strong whatever it is that I’m hearing on this end. Sometimes it’s an investigation but every time it’s a way to connect children and families with the services they need.” 

If you’d like to show your support for child abuse prevention month you can wear blue on April 5.