Prevent Child Abuse Awareness gathering reminds adults to get involved

Pinwheels blowing in the wind of the Pulaski County Courthouse were the backdrop of the Prevent Child Abuse Awareness Month gathering on Friday. 
Members of the community, court system, school corporations, department of child services and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program gathered to remember that awareness is key in helping children who are being abused. 
Pulaski Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn has been part of assisting abused children for the last 30 years as an attorney or a judge. He said the system has changed and at times there is a lot of work and crunching numbers. 
“At the end of the day, I hope that everyone remembers that you are dealing with human beings. I tell parents that all the time. You are dealing with a human being,” Shurn said. 
Others who were part of the gathering included the Indiana Department of Child Services and Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. 
Pulaski County Department of Child Services Director Crystal Williams said Prevent Child Abuse Indiana is interested in starting a council in Pulaski County.  
As Williams introduced the next speaker, she said the local government has been very supportive of their efforts. Pulaski County Commissioner Larry Brady said the government is part of the solutions in stopping child abuse and neglect and breaking the cycle. 
Brady said he sees those children who have suffered from child abuse or neglect as he works with the Boy Scouts and substitute teaches. 
Pulaski County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program Director Sara Kroft gave an example of how child abuse is something children will never forget. 
She said she spoke with an older gentleman who was in his 70s, who questioned where was child services when he was growing up. His father was a mean one and if he had told someone, he wouldn’t have been seen for the next day. 
She encouraged those in the audience to become involved by getting involved at the school, becoming a foster parent, getting involved in CASA and talking to kids about abuse and neglect. 
“No one should ever have to ask where were you when I was growing up and being abused,” Kroft said. 
Letecia Timmel, systems of care program director for Four County Counseling Center, said she has had the opportunity to work with several people in Pulaski County, who have formed a governance council called Pulaski County Connect. It brings together all of the child and family serving agencies in the community. 
Williams said she is happy to be affiliated with “such great people. Everyone here has done something amazing.” 
More information about Pinwheels for Prevention can be found at http://preventchildabuse.org/resource/pinwheels-for-prevention/.