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NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ -
Wauwatosa, WI, United States, 2012/04/24 - The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (CCAC) closes National Child Abuse Prevention Month with “Voices For 3,000,” an Awareness Exhibit and Press Event on Monday, April 30, 2012 in Daley Plaza - ChicagoCAC.org.
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The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (CCAC) estimates that over 90% of sexually abused children know their abusers; sometimes, even intimately. Further, studies show that more than 25% of adults have been in a situation where they suspected a child was being abused, but failed to speak up. And sadly, 60% of child sexual abuse goes unreported altogether. Extraordinarily timed to coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the CCAC launches “Voices For 3000” – a campaign designed to give adults a chance to be a voice for sexually abused children.
“Many victims of child sexual abuse can’t speak up for themselves because they are paralyzed by fear, shame or lack of understanding,” says Char Rivette, Executive Director of the CCAC. “And often, they are far too young to comprehend how or why it even happened to them.” Recent high profile reports of child sexual abuse, including the Jerry Sandusky scandal, have brought this topic to the forefront yet again. And despite possibly knowing about child sexual abuse, adults don’t speak up.
On Monday, April 30, 2012, from 7:00am – 7:00pm, Daley Plaza will be transformed into a solemn art exhibit recognizing the 3,000 estimated cases of unreported child sexual abuse in Chicago. 3,000 stuffed animals will sit stoically on display to represent those 3,000 voiceless children living with the unspeakable scars of their abuse.
Why do these cases go unreported? Simply put, child sexual abuse goes unreported because of fear: fear of falsely accusing someone, fear of being identified, or fear of a long time commitment. These fears can be alleviated because reporting is anonymous, and just takes a phone call (to 1-800-25-ABUSE) to report the abuse.
In addition to fear, adults often don’t speak up because they don’t know what sexual abuse is, or what to do about it. Below are the top three tips for recognizing and reacting to child sexual abuse. Through education, adults have the power to break the cycle of abuse.
The Top 3 Tips For Recognizing & Reacting to Child Sexual Abuse:
1. Learn the warning signs of sexual abuse.
• An adult of older child begins showing an unusual interest your child beyond what would be expected in their role
• Sudden refusals to change for gym class or declined participation in physical activities
• Repeated reports of nightmares or other unexplained expressions of fear
• Demonstration of bizarre, over-sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
• Sudden mood swings (i.e. rage, fear, insecurity, withdrawn attitude, etc.)
• Unusual fear or discomfort around a certain adult or older child.
2. If you see, hear or suspect something, say something.
• Reports made by the general public can remain anonymous
• Trained professionals investigate with discretion, and filing a report takes very little time.
3. Know what to do if you see something.
• If you witness abuse, call 911 immediately and do whatever possible to protect the child from any further harm.
• If you suspect child abuse has taken place, leave it to the professionals and call the hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE.
• And NEVER confront a suspected abuser.
Become a voice against child sexual abuse on Monday, April 30, 2012 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm, along with: Char Rivette, Executive Director for the CCAC; Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart; Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle; City of Chicago Department of Family & Support Services Commissioner Evelyn Diaz among others.
About The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center
The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center and its public partners are the first responders to over 2,000 reports of child sexual abuse and life-threatening physical abuse in Chicago. Since opening their doors in 2001, the CCAC has helped more than 20,000 children and families. The organization unites public, private, and community partners to ensure the safety, health, and well being of abused children.
For more information, please visit chicagocac.org or voicesfor3000org/.
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