Join hands Thursday to fight child abuse

Help draw attention to the issue of child abuse and neglect in Kane County. CASA Kane County is celebrating National Child Abuse Prevention Month by hosting its sixth annual "Hands Around the Courthouse" ceremony at noon Thursday, April 8 inside the Kane County Courthouse, 100 S. Third St. in Geneva.

Juvenile Court Judge Susan Clancy Boles will address the crowd along with CASA Kane County Executive Director Gloria Bunce. Participants will encircle the courthouse for a moment of silence acknowledging local victims of child abuse and neglect.

Food will be provided after the ceremony courtesy of Pockets of Aurora. Reusable totes will be handed out to all participants.

Its mission is to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the juvenile court system. In 2009, 215 Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers represented 538 abused and neglected children. For information, visit casakanecounty.org. The ceremony is sponsored by CASA Kane County, the Family Violence Coordinating Council of the 16th Judicial Circuit, Tri-Cities Exchange Club, and Pockets of Aurora.

To report suspected abuse or neglect, call (800) 252-2873.