Washington County declares child abuse prevention month

WASHINGTON — Washington County officials last week made a proclamation naming April “Child Abuse Prevention Month,” at the encouragement of a Child Welfare Decategorization Project representative.

Jefferson/Keokuk/Van Buren/Washington counties’ “DeCat” Director Tammy Wetjen-Kesterson said local child abuse rates were comfortably below statewide averages, but that the number of local child abuse cases had risen considerably in the last several years, from 47 in 2015 to 77 in 2023.

“The two greatest areas of increase are around what we would call neglect; that would be lack of supervision, not appropriate food, not appropriately taking care of the children,” Wetjen-Kesterson said. “The other area we’re continuing to see an increase in, is children who are affected by drugs.”

The DeCat director said she hoped local groups would focus on abuse prevention, endorsing child abuse-specific courts and local education efforts.

Board of Supervisors Chair Richard Young read the proclamation aloud after Wetjen-Kesterson’s presentation.

“We acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and contribute to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable and nurturing environment,” the proclamation said. “Prevention remains the best defense for our children and families.”

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