Peoria – Help raise awareness of child abuse by joining “Hands Around the Courthouse” on Friday, April 19, at noon in the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza, 324 Main Street, downtown Peoria. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Youth Services Network Panel is hosting its 6th Annual Hands Around the Courthouse event to draw attention to the more than 1,000 pending child abuse and neglect cases in Peoria County.

During the event, advocacy and justice officials will say a few words about the unfortunate cases still pending and the importance of child abuse prevention. Persons attending the event will have an opportunity to tour the Mobile Parent Resource Center, a renovated school bus equipped as a mobile classroom that provides on-site educational programs, early childhood screenings, and resource information to parents in the community. The Mobile Parent Resource Center is a collaboration of Bradley University, Peoria Public School District 150, and the City of Peoria.

Organizers of “Hands Around the Courthouse” appreciate Radio Peoria for providing sound and participants are encouraged to wear blue to show their support of Child Abuse Prevention Month. For more information about the event, please call Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA at (309) 669-2939.