From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The annual “Hands Around the Courthouse” child abuse awareness event will return next week after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Jennifer Clifford, chairwoman of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court Family Violence Coordinating Council, announced the event will take place at noon Thursday, April 21 at the front entrance of the Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center, 650 W. State St. The public is invited to attend.

The event is held in partnership with Winnebago County CASA, Children’s Home and Aid, Children’s Safe Harbor and The Carrie Lynn Children’s Center.

The brief ceremony is meant to bring the community together to remember survivors and celebrate the work that has been done to improve the response to child abuse and neglect.

Participants will surround the courthouse with blue ribbon and plant a blue pinwheel garden to honor survivors of child abuse and neglect and increase awareness around prevention efforts.

According to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, more than 200,000 calls to the
Illinois Child Abuse Hotline are made each year. In 2021, more than 1,400 minors were involved in
the Juvenile Abuse and Neglect court system in the 17th Judicial Circuit.