Organizations Bring Awareness During Child Abuse Prevention Month

April-isApril is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and a number of local organizations will join together to spread awareness about child abuse.

The Knox County Blue Ribbon Task Force is made up of various organizations including the Knox County Child Advocacy Center, CASA of Knox County, and the Safe Harbor Family Crisis center.

Regular government proclamations at city councils will be held throughout the month. A ten minute ceremony to underscore child abuse statistics will be held at the Knox County Courthouse as well.

Action is taking place on a state level as well. Medical Director Dr. Channing Petrak of the Pediatric Resource Center in Peoria says child abuse rates are up. Petrak tells the WGIL Morning News that even with reported numbers, it most likely does not display the total amount.

“The numbers in general over the years have significantly increased,” says Petrak. ” Over even the past three years, we’ve seen about a 40 percent increase in the cases that are being referred to us. We know that we’re still not getting referrals on every case that we should. The need is increasing, and we know that it’s even higher then we anticipate it to be.”

Petrak says education and outreach is increasing due to the increase in numbers. The goal is to report and recognize more signs of abuse.

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