APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES SAYS EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN KEEPING KIDS SAFE.
125 THOUSAND CHILDREN ARE ABUSED EACH YEAR IN ILLINOIS…OFTEN BEFORE THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH SPEAK UP FOR THEMSELVES SAYS D-C-F-S’ CATHY SMITH.
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE ILLINOIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DENISE MCCAFFREY SAYS SHE’S INSPIRED BY THE “ME-TOO” MOVEMENT AND SAYS IT’S TIME TO WORK TOGETHER TO STOP ABUSE.
CHILD ABUSE CAN BE PHYSICAL, MENTAL OR SEXUAL, AND ALSO INCLUDES NEGLECT. MANY PROFESSIONALS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE…AND SMITH SAYS IF YOU BELIEVE A CHILD IS AT RISK, YOU SHOULD DO YOUR PART AND CALL THE D-C-F-S HOTLINE AT 1-800-25-ABUSE.
