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Local agencies come together to raise awareness of child abuse

CARTERVILLE - It was a sea of blue as around 200 people packed the lower hall of the main building at John A. Logan College on Friday morning to learn more about ending child abuse.

The event was the kickoff for "Child Abuse Prevention Month" hosted by the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children.

Blue is the signature color for the awareness campaign.

"While many of our friends and neighbors would like to believe that this problem only exists somewhere else, that is not true," said Jo Poshard. "Nearly 20 Southern Illinois counties have child abuse rates that are twice as high as the rest of the state."

Statistics show that 58 percent of children will encounter violence or abuse of some kind. In fact, according to preventillinoisabuseillinois.org, there are nearly three million reports of suspected abuse filed in the United States each year.

Experts say that exposure to violence can seriously harm the development of a child's brain and body, leading to a number of long-lasting negative outcomes.

Poshard told the crowd, "Today is about preventing child abuse and becoming involved."

John A. Logan President Ronald K. House read the official proclamation from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, proclaiming April 2019 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month."

In that proclamation, Pritzker noted that Illinoisans make more than 250,000 calls to the Illinois Child Abuse Hotline each year. Illinois also has over 15,000 children in foster care.

Several speakers noted child abuse statistics and offered tips for getting involved, but it was Illinois State Police officer Alicia Barr of Marion who brought the crowd to its feet.

Barr recounted her first awareness of child abuse as a day care worker in a small Iowa town. She told the story of a young boy who was the victim of horrific abuse and later witnessed his abusive father kill his mother.

"It can happen anywhere," Barr told the audience.

Her story also illustrated a point made by other speakers that, most often, the abuser is someone the children knows, such as a parent, relative, neighbor, family friend, or trusted adult.

In her welcome address, Poshard noted that abuse includes several types such as physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect.

The event also included information booths from more than a dozen agencies that deal with children and families.

"We are here to bring awareness to the children," said Debbie Johnson of Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department.

Johnson said they offer several programs, including WIC that are in place to offer help to families. "These programs can help alleviate stress on parents," she said.

Jocelyn Popit of Centerstone said her organization "runs the gamut" of programs and services for "ages three to 103."

Popit said those programs range from mental health counseling to early head start to in-school counseling.

"We're trying to deliver care that can help somebody make a profound difference in their lives," she said.

The recent tragic death of 9-year-old Byron Casanova of Johnston City has brought the issue of child abuse to the forefront in the local area.

A statement from Debra Dyer-Webster, interim director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, acknowledges that DCFS workers had contact with the family of Casanova, as well as the child himself, numerous times in the months leading up to his suicide on March 23.

According to the report, a DCFS investigation was initially opened on Feb. 3, 2016.

Popit said that tragedy is "telling all of us agencies that we can come out of our silos and work together.

"Today," she said, "is about how we can work with others to break down barriers."

If you believe a child is being abused or neglected, you should call 1-800-25-ABUSE.

Joyce Guy, right, of SIU-C Headstart, discusses her agency's programs with Steffanie Geuvens, a student at Rend Lake College. Holly Kee photo
Representatives of CASA listen as Jo Poshard "busts" myths of child abuse. Holly Kee photo
Jo Poshard speaks to a crowd of about 200 on the issue of child abuse during kickoff for "Child Abuse Prevention Month," hosted by the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children at John A. Logan College on Friday. Holly Kee photo
Glenn Poshard, left, and Jim Kirkpatrick, a representative from Sen. Tammy Duckworth's office, listen as Illinois State Police Sgt. Alicia Barr tells her story of her first encouter with child abuse. Holly Kee photo
More than a dozen information booths were manned by local organizations to bring awareness to child abuse. Holly Kee photo
Jo and Glenn Poshard, center, make their way through the crowd that gathered for the kickoff for "Child Abuse Prevention Month," hosted by the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children at John A. Logan College on Friday. Holly Kee photo