Teri McKean of ABC Counseling on fundraising to support child sexual abuse counseling

From January of 2000 to the present, there have been over 75,000 reports of child sexual abuse in the state of Illinois, not taking into account the large percentage of unreported cases. Studies show that 1 in 3 girls, and 1 in 5 boys, will be sexually abused by the age of 18; more than 80% of these youth will have been abused by someone they know. The problem of child sexual abuse is pervasive and it does not affect just one race, religion or socioeconomic status. Sexual abuse does not discriminate in these ways and instead can, unfortunately, affect any child.

ABC Counseling & Family Services has made it their mission to help the youth affected by sexual abuse. Since first forming in 1992 in Normal, ABC has served more than 2,500 families and has grown from one office to four, including one here in Champaign. The staff of ABC strives every day to bring justice, healing and wholeness to the people they serve and aim to enhance the quality of people's lives. It is the hope of ABC that one day their services will no longer be needed.

As a non-profit, ABC relies heavily on community support. ABC is pleased to announce their second annual fundraising event to specifically benefit the Champaign-Urbana community! Putt Fore Kids is a family friendly event to be held this Saturday, September 20, from 9am to 1pm at Old Orchard Links in Savoy. Any ticket purchased includes miniature golf, pizza, drinks and entry into a raffle. This event also features a silent auction with a variety of packages. You can help combat child sexual abuse by attending this event. For more information, please contact our office at (217) 403-0790. You may also visit our website, www.abccounseling.org, for more information about ABC or to donate via Paypal.

If you have concerns about a child you know, you may contact ABC at (217) 403-0790 or you may contact the DCFS hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE to report incidents of child abuse.