Child Abuse Prevention Month events throughout April and beyond

One in four girls and one in 13 boys will be victims of child abuse.

During Child Abuse Awareness Month in April, Family & Children’s Center (FCC) will be providing free awareness events and presentations at its child advocacy centers, Stepping Stones in La Crosse and Matty’s Place in Winona.

Danielle Swedberg is the Program Coordinator for FCC’s child advocacy centers (CAC). According to Danielle, FCC provided services to 639 children and their non-offending caregivers who were part of a child protection investigation in 2022.

Family & Children’s Center will host events throughout the month of April to help community members protect children. Danielle Swedberg will be available for in-studio, pre-recorded interviews from March 31 through April 5 to discuss the series of events FCC has planned in La Crosse, Winona and Viroqua. Please contact Greg White (gwhite@fccnetwork.org), Marketing and Development Specialist to schedule a time for an interview.

The presentation, Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse, will be provided by Olivia Kudronowicz and Nicole Eiken at a free Meet & Eat on Wednesday, April 19, at FCC’s headquarters at 1707 Main St., in the John Burgess Conference room, from 5:30 to 6:20 p.m., by child advocacy staff. To register for this presentation and/or child care, email dswedberg@fccnetwork.org.

A Walk to provide awareness for child abuse and sexual assault will be offered in coordination with WSU’s Professor Ruth Charles, social work students, FCC staff, and the public who are invited to meet at the gazebo near Phelps Hall at 4 p.m. to walk to FCC. Refreshments will be provided after the walk at 4:30.

The presentation, Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse will also be provided at the Winona FCC at 601 Franklin St., on Tuesday, April 25 after the walk, from 5 to 6:20 p.m. Food will be provided at 5 p.m. followed by the presentation. Free child care will also be provided. Registration is required for the presentation and the child care by April 21. To register for this presentation and/or child care, email dswedberg@fccnetwork.org.

Article originally appeared in La Crosse Tribune and Winona Daily News on April 1, 2023.