An event designed to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect will be taking place in Starke County, Tuesday.
The Indiana Department of Child Services, along with several other organizations will be hosting a ceremony that highlights techniques that can be used to help spot, or even prevent child abuse.
Starke DCS Director Dee Lynch says everybody has a responsibility to keep kids safe in the community.
“If you suspect child abuse and neglect, even if you don’t have that much information, just even somewhere where we can contact the family and interview the children,” says Lynch. “Again that’s the responsibility of everyone that lives in the county.”
April is National Child Abuse Prevention month. To celebrate, the DCS is putting on their Pinwheels for Prevention event at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center.
Local prevent child abuse councils, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and the Coalition Against Domestic Abuse will be joining the effort.
Lynch says a hotline is available for suspected child abuse.
“Throughout the year, we’re trying to communicate to people that you always need to be on the lookout for abuse and neglect,” says Lynch. “If you have a concern, anybody in the state of Indiana is considered what we call mandatory reporters.”
According to a press release from the Indiana Department of Child Services, there are about 50 children in need of services in Starke County. That places the county in the middle of the pack when it comes to making assessments of possible child abuse situations.
The event will take place at 6:30 p.m.
