HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in Holland encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Ottawa County a better place for children and families.
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Ottawa County believes child abuse is a community problem. 400,000 children are sexually abused every year. That means 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. 90% of the victims are abused by someone they trust and only 10% are strangers to the child.
Amy Dalman is a Prevention Coordinator and says 60% of abusers are aquaintances like teachers, neighbors or community leaders.
“It’s people we know and who we trust. It’s important to ask those questions when you are signing up your kids for sporting events, camp. A lot of times you think it’s the creepy person in the trench coat in the park, but it’s not.”
You will see blue ribbons all over town and at Centennial Park. The color blue is the national symbol of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Dalman says prevention is possible if you have the correct tools.
“My prevention team and I go into all of the schools in Ottawa County. We’re currently in about 95% of the elementary buildings. We’re talking to first and third graders on body safety and letting kids know that it’s not okay for somebody to try to touch the private parts of their body and really identifying the safe adults in their life.”
The Children’s Advocacy Center is in its 19th year serving children who are victims of sexual abuse in Ottawa County and will hold a hold a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14th to kick off a building expansion and capital campaign that will nearly double the Center’s current footprint. The goal of the expansion is to increase space to meet the growing demands for innovative treatment therapy, expand resources for children and families, and increase prevention education and outreach throughout the community.
To learn more about the programs, resources offered by the CAC, and Prevention Month Activities throughout April please call 616-393-6123 or visit their website.
