The “Blue Kids” are new to the Northwest Suburbs. In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month the Blue Kids will be part of the Family Violence Council’s April 1st Conference at Harper College’s Wojcik Conference Center.
These blue plywood silhouettes of life-size children are part of the “Silent Witness” campaign. A reminder of the known and unknown children who have suffered as a result of abuse or neglect. This is the first year the campaign is being sponsored by both the Family Violence Council and
the Children’s Advocacy Center in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Last year, almost 100,000 children in Illinois were reported as abused or neglected according to the Children’s Advocacy Center.
“Through public awareness, community education and support programs, these disturbing numbers can be reduced,” said Mark Parr, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center. “Although awareness of child abuse and neglect needs to be a year-round commitment, concentrating our efforts in April serves to focus public attention on the positive solutions to a devastating problem,”
Materials for this project were donated by Lowe’s Home Improvement of Schaumburg, IL and the plywood silhouettes were fabricated by the carpenter apprentice school from Union Local 839 of Hoffman Estates, IL. The silhouettes were painted by staff from the Children’s Advocacy Center and committee members from the Family Violence Council.
In 2010, 313 children were interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center and the total served, including children interviewed in other years and still receiving services, was 458. Children come to CAC following reports of sexual and serious physical abuse. The CAC provides these children with a safe, welcoming place where they can be heard and where they and their families can receive healing, supportive services designed to reduce the trauma of child abuse.
If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, please call the Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873) or your local law enforcement agency.