INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and today lawmakers and child abuse advocates gathered at the Statehouse in Indianapolis to raise awareness.
The event was hosted in conjunction with the Villages of Indiana. The Villages are the state’s largest licensed and accredited nonprofit agency dedicated to family and child services.
At today’s event, organizers and lawmakers, including Governor Mike Braun, talked about the importance of keeping young Hoosiers safe.
“Child Abuse Prevention Month is a reminder that it is on all of us to know the signs of child abuse and to speak up for the victims that can’t speak up for themselves,” said Gov. Braun. “We shouldn’t have to talk about it but the fact that a crowd this large is here to punctuate that, that means we got work to do.”
According to the Indiana Youth Institute’s most recent stats in 2023, more than 7,500 young Hoosiers were removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Officials said that’s a 26% increase from 2022.
To report abuse or neglect, call the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-800-5556.
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