Child Abuse Prevention Month has been observed each April since its first presidential proclamation in 1983.  Since that time millions of Americans have participated in this exciting public awareness campaign.  Individuals, organizations and communities across the country plant pinwheels, tie ribbons, organize trainings, host fundraisers, hold family events, and support a multitude of other activities celebrating childhood and raising awareness that all children deserve to grow up in happy, healthy environments.

Consider attending a kick-off event in your area! Find out more.

By wearing blue, you can show your commitment to prevent child abuse and supporting strong families and healthy children in Illinois!

And on April 10th, share pictures of yourself wearing blue to our Facebook page! Use #CAPmonth and #preventchildabuseillinois.  

Download the poster.

In order to better protect children from child sexual abuse it is very important for parents to teach their children in an age-appropriate way about their bodies and about healthy sexuality. It is important to have those conversations and more importantly to keep those conversations on-going because in today's world children are constantly bombarded by inappropriate and oftentimes offensive sexual messages everywhere. In fact most children inappropriately learn about sex through their friends and messaging through the media. Having conversations about healthy sexuality with your children should not be difficult. By doing so, it can open up the dialogue and help to create strong relationships and a healthy bond of open communication between parent and child about a difficult subject. Having these conversations can help protect children from abuse!

There are many resources available to help parents and their children to begin or continue this very important conversation. Here are only a few resources that you might find helpful:

Dr. Janet Rosenzweig, http://www.janetrosenzweig.com/ &  http://www.sexwiseparent.com/ 

The Metro East Meth + Other Drugs conference is scheduled for April 22-23, 2015 at The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL.   

The 6th Annual Illinois Walk for Children: Be a Superhero to Every Child is a fundraiser for Prevent Child Abuse Illinois to help continue their efforts of providing child abuse prevention education throughout the State of Illinois.

This fun, family-friendly event will be held on June 6, 2015, at Southern View Park in Springfield. There is a 1-mile walk, followed by an old-fashioned carnival for children ages 12 and younger, and a hot dog lunch. Marvel's very own Iron Man and Spiderman will be on-site to encourage walkers of all ages to get involved!