(Beaver Dam) April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and officials with Dodge County’s only domestic violence shelter are using the occasion to raise awareness of the issue. PAVE’s child advocacy program offers safety planning, counseling, and support groups to both victims of abuse as well as children affected by domestic violence.
Stacy Berg is the organizations teen and child advocate. She says roughly one in seven children will experience child abuse within the last year. Berg adds that 245,000 cases were reported to Child Protection Services involving child sexual assault allegations and every year 700,000 children are abused in the Unites States.
Berg says when they get involved it is usually by referral from a parent, teacher, or counselor. She says they will listen to the child talk about their experiences, helping them cope, offer homework support groups, as well as get their family advocate involved.
Berg says there are varying degrees of abuse outside of physical assault including verbal, trafficking, and neglect. During a recent Community Comment, Berg noted that neglect can easily be overlooked. She says neglect can mean the failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs. Berg says that neglect is the most common form of abuse nationally.
PAVE’s crises line is 920-887-3810, their 800 number is 1-800-775-3785, and their texting line is 920-344-0123.
To call the Dodge County Adult Protective Services unit dial 920-386-3580. For Child and Adolescent Services call 920-386-3750.
The Human Trafficking Hotline is 1-888-373-7888.
Click HERE to visit PAVE’s website.
