Child Abuse Prevention Month: Community awareness is key factor in preventing child abuse

With the implementation of remote learning for kindergarten to 12th-grade students because of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, educators are not meeting personally with students each day. Although this indefinite quarantine is a public safety necessity, it is not without risks.

This pandemic presents significant challenges for those children that are in abusive situations at home.

The majority of mandated child abuse/neglect reports to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services are made by educators.

As April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Kane County State's Attorney's Office, Kane County Regional Schools office, and CASA Kane County ask those in the community - parents, friends and classmates - to be vigilant in ensuring that all children are safe.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order makes this difficult, but there still are things we can do:

• Be a supportive community member who recognizes that COVID-19 is stressful for families, and offer support while observing social distancing and other safety measures.

• Share the Illinois DCFS hotline number - 1-800-25-ABUSE - with friends and family through text, phone calls and social media.

• Parents can ask their children if they have checked in with friends and classmates. Allow children to express if they have concerns about their friends. Be responsive to those remarks without overreacting.

• Parents should be watchful while children are participating in online educational platforms to see if any of the children online have cuts or bruises, or appear disheveled.

• Neighborhood children outside may seem disengaged, lonely or present physical evidence of abuse. If you note these red flags, safely engage in a conversation, ask if the child needs anything, if they are hungry, if they feel OK and safe, and how school is going.

Mandated reporters are required by law to report suspected child abuse, but anyone can make a good faith report. If you see something, say something.

Simply call 1-800-25-ABUSE. You do not have to be absolutely certain of abuse or neglect. You need only have reasonable suspicion.

On behalf of Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon, Kane County Regional Schools Superintendent Patricia Dal Santo, and CASA Kane County Executive Director Gloria Kelley, please remain aware of hidden dangers in our community and report suspected abuse.