Fort Madison, IA – Progress is being made as Lee County tries to reduce the frequency of child abuse cases within its borders. Records from the Iowa Department of Human Services show that, in 2003, Lee County had nearly 600 unconfirmed, confirmed, and founded reports of child abuse. Over the next three years, that number has dropped to where in 2006, there were just over 400 reports. Child Abuse Prevention Council of Lee County President, Norma Poland, says high unemployment rates are seen as one reason why child abuse is more of a problem. Poland says awareness efforts will be expanded, this month, as April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
You can hear more with Norma Poland by clicking the audio link above.
Additional Information
* Poland says there were more than 14,000 reports of child abuse in Iowa last year.
* Special courses for parents are available in both Keokuk and Fort Madison.
* Poland says Lee County's ranking, among counties, is also falling.