Here are some alarming numbers: 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused during childhood. The average age of the victims: 9.
“This is a social epidemic and a real tragedy,” said Heather Randazzo, program coordinator for the Childhood Trauma Treatment Program run by Advocate Health Care. “A tremendous number of people experience abuse and don’t come forward.
“It’s like slavery,” she said. “We all have to do something in order to end it.”
That something begins with increased awareness, and what better time to consider this than during National Child Abuse Prevention month.
In addition to evaluating and treating children who have been abused, the program, with offices in Oak Lawn and Bolingbrook, sponsors workshops aimed at helping adults help children.
It has just trained its 1,000th adult in the Stewards of Children community outreach program. As a result, more than 10,000 children are now better protected from sexual abuse, Randazzo said.
Helping the helpers
The Childhood Trauma Treatment Program relies on funding from United Way and local fundraising efforts. On April 13, it will host the 16th Annual Start Early Run to raise awareness and generate funds. The public can help by participating or donating directly.
Officials said 100 percent of donations go to support the program, which has been providing specialized psychological services to the community for more than 30 years.
For more information, visit www.advocatehealth.com/cttp
BY Donna Vickroy with The Herald-News, A Chicago Sun-Times Publication
dvickroy@southtownstar.com
Twitter: @dvickroy April 8, 2013 4:40PM
Hello, My name is Troy Koshinski I was molested by two family members at the age of three. I have found out since I did not remember within the statute of limitations (by age 28) in Illinois that it means my offenders have gotten away with it. I think any sexual abuse to anyone should have severe consequences and you should never just be able to get away with it, especial to a child. That’s why I have started a petition to take to the Illinois law makers to change the law. All signatures are needed and welcomed no matter your geographical location. It will let the politicians no that everybody wants change at home and abroad. Some people have reported problems trying to open the link on their phone. A home computer seems to work fine. So please look at it, sign it, and help this cause. Click on this link to go to my petition PLEASE. http://www.change.org/petitions/illinois-law-makers-no-statute-of-limitations-on-child-sexual-abuse If you need more info I will gladly supply it. One of the offenders is still living right next door to a city park in Warrensburg IL. where children play. The other lives about 2 blocks from a school in Oreana IL. I will gladly give out the names through E-mail or Facebook chat so they can be watched in case children get to close to these predators. One of these individuals has even signed a confession implicating both in this crime to the police. ski0563@yahoo.com If you liked, shared or feel the same as my post about child molesters. Click on this link below and sign my petition to change the law. http://www.change.org/petitions/illinois-law-makers-no-statute-of-limitations-on-child-sexual-abuse Feel free to friend me on Facebook if you need too. Thank you, Troy Koshinski I’LL KEEP MY CHILD SAFE NO MATTER HOW I HAVE TO.
My name is Troy Koshinski I was molested by two family members at the age of three. I have found out since I did not remember within the statute of limitations (by age 28) in Illinois that it means my offenders have gotten away with it. I have started a petition to take to the Illinois law makers to change the law. Click on this link to go to my petition PLEASE. http://www.change.org/petitions/illinois-law-makers-no-statute-of-limitations-on-child-sexual-abuse