I would like to remind all your readers that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness month. In addition, the week of April 26 to May 2 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Blue ribbons are available to wear as a symbol that everyone can help bring an end to child abuse and neglect.

In my mind, it seems sad that we even have to observe special months for these problems because in a perfect world these problems would not exist. But the facts are that there is all too much “child abuse,” “sexual assault” and crimes that don’t always give the victim their right to recover.

Every year we have displayed a billboard in Albert Lea that shows a little child, huddled in tears, and the sign says, “It shouldn’t hurt to be a child.” That would be a given in most minds, but yet it does hurt to be a child all too often. And the person that hurts the child may be a stranger or another child, but, sadly, sometimes the hurt is inflicted by the parent or caregiver and that is not acceptable in our society. Even if he is not physically harmed, he may be emotionally scarred if there is constant fighting in his home between the very adults that he loves.

The Crime Victims Crisis Center, a part of Freeborn County Human Services, works to help those troubled families. They have group meetings for women who have seen violence. They hold group sessions for “Kids Who Have Seen Violence.” At Brookside Education Center is a class called “Parents Forever” for couples who are splitting up but are, indeed, parents forever and need to learn how to handle their problems without putting the kids in the middle. The Crisis Center does talks in schools and churches about handling problems without resorting to violence. They do public displays like “Hands Are Not For Hitting.”

The trained social workers in the Crisis Center are there every day to help anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault. They operate a 24/7 service, through the help of volunteers who answer the hotline phone after hours and weekends. They are eager to see that victims are made aware of their rights and that they have the help to navigate the law system of our courts.

This year’s national theme is “25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act.” Our country probably provides more rights to victims than any other country does and Freeborn County is fortunate to have the agencies to help victims and families. Anyone who reads this can help, just by being aware of what is available, and being on the lookout for family members or friends who might need that kind of help,

So, wear a blue ribbon proudly and show your support for ending child abuse of any kind.

Joyce Rhody

12-year volunteer

Crime Victims Crisis Center

Albert Lea