8th Annual Child Abuse Awareness Walk, 4/18/18

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, therefore, the 8th Annual Walk Around the Square was held Wednesday, April 18, to bring awareness to Logan County regarding child abuse.  Community partners, SES K-Kids, RJSHS Ambassadors, other school children, community officials, and the general public were invited to meet and walk around Carrico Park Square in remembrance of those children that have been abused in Logan County.  The total reports were 392 in 2017.  The group walked on to the Historic Logan County Courthouse where the story of the blue ribbon campaign was read, and then Russellville City Mayor, Mark Stratton, and Judge Executive, Logan Chick read and signed the proclamation which announced April as Child Abuse Prevention/Awareness Month.  More reports of suspected child abuse/neglect are made during the month of April than any other month.  Many were dressed in blue and/or wore blue ribbons as a symbol of the awareness.  We all need to learn how to prevent child abuse and neglect.  Although there has been a lot of education throughout Kentucky and Indiana to try to reduce the number of children dying from abuse, it’s apparent that we still have plenty more work to do.  Kentucky is a mandatory reporting state meaning everyone age 18 and older is legally bound to report any suspected abuse/neglect of a child.  Reporting is NOT an option, it is legally required.  Those attending from RJSHS were Brooklyn Ray, Emma McReynolds, Carson Kash, Luci Suiter, Benjamin Slack, Ethan Paul, Jayden Hammer, Malley Jayne, Cassidy Farwick, and Debbie Browder; those attending from SES were Aiden Garrie, PJ Suiter, Aliza Wilson, LaReesha Cawthorn, Jasmine Savage, Madicyn Faith, Raigan Fuston, Adia Cox, Chloe Penrod, Jaeda Poindexter, Luke Cockrell, Trystanne Hickman, Noah Harris, Jayce Sparks, Bryan Rush, Nancy Skipworth, and Carol Kees.