Child Abuse Prevention Resources

Child Abuse Prevention Resources

 

34,584
cases of child abuse were investigated
and proved in the state of Illinois in 2018

9,295
of these cases were in
Cook County alone


Women at Fourth at Fourth Presbyterian Church urges you to make a difference in the lives of our country’s most precious resource: children. Learn the signs of abuse and how to report it, join an advocacy group, or find out where to get help if you fear for the safety of a child.


Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month
Some Facts | Signs of Child Abuse
Hotlines | Support for Families | Resources

 

National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month

Since 1989, millions of people have joined in displaying and wearing blue bows during the month of April to raise awareness for the observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. Women at Fourth urges you to make a difference in the lives of our country’s most precious resource. During the month of April join us on wearing a blue bow, participate in our prayer service, attend a program with some of Chicago’s leading voices in child abuse prevention, tie a bow at Fourth Church, or find out where to get help if you fear for the safety of a child.

For more on the history of the Blue Bows campaign, click here.

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Some Facts

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Signs of Child Abuse

Children who are abused may show physical and behavioral warning signs. Pay attention to the treatment of children around you; you may be a child’s only lifeline to safety.

Possible signs of an abused child include

  • Nervousness around adults or fear of certain adults
  • Reluctance to go home
  • Behavioral tendencies to be passive and withdrawn or aggressive and disruptive
  • Complaints of nightmares or not sleeping well
  • Running away from home
  • Sexual knowledge or behavior beyond his or her age
  • Acting overly mature or overly immature
  • Lack of emotional attachment to caregivers
  • Delays in physical or emotional development
  • Lack of supervision at too young an age

Possible signs of an abusive caretaker include

  • Little concern for child’s welfare
  • Denial of problems
  • Frequent blame, belittling, or insulting of child
  • Complaints that the child is a burden
  • Dependence upon child for emotional support
  • Secretive behavior, isolating child from others

Types of behavior not always recognized as child abuse include

  • Constant criticism and rejection
  • Threats to withhold love
  • Exposure to domestic violence
  • Hitting a child even if abuse is not intended
  • Exposure to sexualized materials such as pornography
  • Disinterest and lack of attention

None of these signs is proof of child abuse but may signal that something is wrong and help is needed.

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Hotlines

State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
800.252.2873 (800-25-ABUSE)
Staffed for twenty-four-hour service

National Department of Children and Family Services
800.329.5437 (800-329-KIDS)

CHILDHELP: A National Child Abuse Hotline
800.422.4453
Operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
800.843.5678 (800-THE LOST)

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Support for Families

Parents Care and Share of Illinois
800.443.4376
www.dhs.state.il.us
Weekly parent support groups to help families reduce stress and lower the likelihood of abuse or neglect

Boys and Girls Town National Hotline
800.448.3000
www.parenting.org
Offers information, resources, and referrals

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chicago
312.427.0637
www.bbbschgo.org
Mentoring and activity programs for children in the Chicago area

Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County
847.885.0100
www.cachelps.org
Coordinates the investigations of child abuse allegations in 38 communities throughout North and Northwest suburbs, also provides professional counseling, court, medical and legal advocacy, community referrals, and other support services to help families.

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Resources

If you would like additional information from local and national resources, please call these organizations or visit their websites.

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
www.state.il.us/dcfs
312.814.4150
Timely information about child protection, foster care, adoption, day care, and other issues

Prevent Child Abuse Illinois
www.preventchildabuseillinois.org
217.522.1129
Aimed at preventing cruelty to children and increasing public awareness

Voices for Illinois Children—Advocacy
www.voices4kids.org
312.456.0088
Link to resources, referrals, and agencies to support children

LaRabida Children’s Hospital
www.larabida.org
773.363.6700
Services for children with illness, disability, and abuse

CASA—Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cook County
www.nationalcasa.org
312.433.4928
Promotes and supports quality volunteer representation for children

Erie Neighborhood House
www.eriehouse.org
312.563.5800
Promotes children’s growth through a variety of activities and partners with parents for the well-being of each child

Metropolitan Family Services
www.metrofamily.org
312.986.4000
A comprehensive range of programs and services that help families through difficult times

Children’s Home + Aid
www.childrenshomeandaid.org
312.424.0200
A range of programs and services for families; advocacy for changes in public policy

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If you know of additional resources to add to this list, please contact Simon Crow (312.573.3369).

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