Prevention is the best hope for reducing child abuse and neglect and improving the lives of children and families. Strengthening families and preventing child abuse requires a shared commitment of individuals and organizations in every community. Being aware of this abuse can help prevent it.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, a time set aside to bring attention to a terrible reality and a time when the community can come together and become informed on ways to prevent it from happening.

The term "prevention" is typically used to represent activities that stop an action or behavior. It can also be used to represent activities that promote a positive action or behavior. Research has found that successful child abuse interventions both reduce risk factors and promote protective factors to ensure the well-being of children and families.

Protective factors are conditions in families and communities that, when present, increase the health and well-being of children and families. They are attributes that serve as buffers, helping parents who might otherwise be at risk of abusing their children to find resources, supports, or coping strategies that allow them to parent effectively, even under stress.

During April you may see people wearing a blue ribbon or adorning one on their vehicle. You can see the blue ribbons in Russellville on the square, the sheriff’s department and in front of the old Logan County Courthouse. The Blue Ribbon campaign began in 1989 to raise awareness about child abuse.

Missy Perry of Logan County’s Protection and Permanency wants to remind everyone that April is devoted to celebrating everything we can do to transform our community into a place that cares about, and actively supports, families and children.

On Thursday, April 14th, at 11 a.m. the Logan County Protection and Permanency office and its community partners will be at the Russellville City Square for a short walk to the "old" Logan County Courthouse to help bring awareness to child abuse. Once at the courthouse, there will be a proclamation reading declaring April Child Abuse Awareness Month.

They invite all those that support the children and families of Logan County to come and help remember the children that have suffered neglect, and abuse in Logan County and to bring a voice to help prevent others from the possibility of being neglected and abused.

“By ensuring that all parents and caregivers in our community have access to quality childcare, parenting education resources, affordable health services, and substance abuse and mental health programs, we make progress toward what the month stands for,” said Perry.

If you suspect child abuse you can call the local office of Protection and Permanency at 726-3516 or the hotline at 1-877-597-2331. If the abuse or neglect needs to be reported immediately and a child is in immediate danger please call 911.