HPF would like to provide information on where abused or neglected children can turn to for help. Refuge, a Wood River, IL-based program that offers therapy to children and families who have been exposed to abuse and neglect, is such a program. According to the article, the Refuge program is a part of the Wood River organization Riverbend Family Ministries (RFM), which houses a group of small nonprofits providing support to abused children and families as well as the tools to persevere. Education and restoration through healing is the key part to the program’s philosophy in response to the cases reported in the [...]

The blue ribbon is the official ribbon for Child Abuse Prevention Month. To show support during this month, a normally black-and-white police cruiser debuted its new bright blue exterior for the month of April in Salem, Oregon. "We're proud to display blue this month," said Deputy Chief George Burke, Investigations Division Commander. "We are honored to partner with a local business, Green Acres, and the Salem Police Foundation to champion the effort to promote the wellness of children and prevent child abuse in our community." The Salem Police Department works year-round with child abuse assessment center Liberty House, Oregon Department of [...]

With 1,230 ribbons representing 1,230 validated cases last year, child abuse is evident and brought out several officials and volunteers to recognize that fact Thursday, April 27. The Child Abuse Council puts on a ceremony every year to spread awareness of the issue of child abuse. This year, the organization partnered with Muskegon Catholic Central's Journey Girls to plant 1,230 ribbons in the courtyard of the county courthouse. To promote awareness for the fight against child abuse, Muskegon Mayor Stephen Gawron named April 27 Child Abuse Prevention Day in the city of Muskegon, Michigan. Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2017/04/april_27_named_child_abuse_pre.html 27/30

When a person has disclosed that they have been sexually assaulted, the people around often don't know what to say. We found this list of things to avoid saying, to help friends and family members of sexual abuse victims best love and understand the person and the sexual abuse recovery journey: http://sarahbessey.com/21-things-shouldnt-said-sexual-abuse-victims-guest-post-mary-demuth/ 26/30

Each state has a law that sets a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. These laws are called statutes of limitations. A statute of limitation forbids prosecutors from charging someone with a crime that was committed more than a specified number of years ago. The general purpose of statutes of limitations is to make sure convictions occur only upon evidence (physical or eyewitness) that has not deteriorated with time. HPF would like to educate our readers as to each state's civil statutes of limitations in child sexual abuse cases because knowledge is power: http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/state-civil-statutes-of-limitations-in-child-sexua.aspx 25/17

"April was first declared Child Abuse Prevention Month by presidential proclamation in 1983. Nationally, over six million children come to the attention of child protective services each year according to a Children’s Bureau 2014 report. Four children die every day in the U.S. because of abuse. The majority of child abuse cases stemmed from situations and conditions that can be preventable when community programs and systems are engaged and supportive." Read more about how National Child Abuse Prevention Month began and how Advocates Against Family Violence contributes to it's awareness and safety for children: http://www.idahopress.com/community/april-is-sexual-assault-awareness-child-abuse-prevention-month/article_b82098d1-fc7b-5231-b115-c20485c83e4a.html 24/30

The Diocese of Phoenix Office of Child and Youth Protection planted a pinwheel garden, representing an uplifting symbol of childhood, outside of the Diocesan Pastoral Center on April 18 for Child Abuse Prevention Month. The program was coordinated by the diocese Office of Child and Youth Protection. "It represents all our efforts to ensure a healthy and safe environment of children in our community,” said Anne Vargas-Leveriza, director of the Child and Youth Protection Office. Find out more: http://www.catholicsun.org/2017/04/21/pinwheel-garden-planted-for-child-abuse-prevention-month/ Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo A. Nevares holds pinwheels with students from St. Agnes School after planting a pinwheel garden outside of the Diocesan Pastoral [...]

"If you’re an adult who experienced sexual abuse as a child, know that you are not alone. Every eight minutes, a child is sexually assaulted in the U.S., and 93 percent know the perpetrator. Many perpetrators of sexual abuse are in a position of trust or responsible for the child’s care, such as a family member, teacher, clergy member, or coach. No matter what, the abuse was not your fault. It’s never too late to start healing from this experience." Read more: https://www.rainn.org/articles/adult-survivors-child-sexual-abuse 22/30