Madison County proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Month

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Chairman Kurt Prenzler reads a proclamation of Friday declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Madison County

Madison County proclaims April and Child Abuse Prevention Month

April 6, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EDWARDSVILLE — Blue pinwheels and cutouts decorated the lobby of the Madison County Administration Building in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder emceed the event on Friday that included speakers from the county, courts and state. Booths representing various agencies and advocacy groups were also set up. 

The event is part of a statewide effort by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and other agencies and groups to promote awareness on abuse.  

Chairman Kurt Prenzler read a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Madison County. 

The cutouts will be on display throughout the month of April and represent the 554 children the Child Advocacy Center provided services to in 2017. In Madison County, 1 in 25 children are involved in an allegation of child abuse each year.  

The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention. The pinwheel suggests whimsy and childlike notions and has come to serve as the physical embodiment, or reminder, of the great childhoods we want for all children. 

Associate Judge Maureen Schuette announced that the children’s room on the second floor of the Courthouse was getting a facelift. She said there will be ribbon cutting when the project is complete and numerous donations were given to update the room where children go to get away from the stress of the courtroom environment. 

It was also announced that Madison County Courthouse was in the process of getting a service animal to help calm children and others who are in the courthouse and find the environment stressful.

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