Just For Kids Shines Light on Child Sex Abuse at FOC Auto Fair - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Just For Kids Raises Awareness About Child Sex Abuse at FOC Auto Fair

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Just for Kids set up shop at the Friends of Coal Auto Fair on Sunday to raise awareness about child sex abuse.

The child advocacy network offers a comprehensive sexual abuse prevention training program called 'Stewards of Children,' a public awareness campaign designed to educate adults and teachers to recognize the signs of child sex abuse.

One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18, and 90 percent of those children will be abused by someone the child knows and trusts, said W.Va. DHHR representative Michael Horton. 

"I think when people come by and hear about the statistics of child abuse and neglect they are really amazed. I think a lot of people have been educated by what they've heard this weekend," added Horton.

Horton said Just for Kids also provides forensic interviewing for sexually abused kids in conjunction with state police. 

 

He encourages victims and families to report child sex abuse through Child Protective Services at 1-800-352-6513. The calls may be kept confidential.