Posted on April 26, 2015

Keeping children safe extends far beyond parents of the community. (WJBC File Photo)

By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – April is Child Abuse Awareness month, and the safety of children extends far beyond their parents. Judy Brucker with the Child Protection Network said a simple report of suspicious activity can help keep children in the community safe.

“If you see something, just make a call,” Brucker said. “Call your local DCFS Office, call the 1-800-25-ABUSE line, call law enforcement and ask for a child welfare check. You can make that call and raise a level of a concern. If an investigation finds nothing, that’s great. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding.”

Brucker said keeping children safe isn’t just the duty of parents.

“We understand that you as a community person don’t have the expertise to look into these kinds of cases,” said Brucker. “And maybe you don’t even want to interject yourself into a situation. But you can do that part.”

A recent study found that one in ten children in Illinois will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday, and Brucker said looking out for all children can bring that number down.

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].

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