Blue Kids Project Raises Awareness Of Child Abuse

Small, cardboard cutouts of children in blue silhouettes have been placed throughout the county to help draw attention to the issue of child abuse. The purpose of the Blue Kids Project is cherishing children, supporting families and building strong communities, according to the Lake County website detailing the program.

This is the inaugural year for the project in Lake County.

The Blue Kids can be found outside of businesses, city buildings, libraries, park districts all over Lake County to raise awareness and discussion on the issue of child abuse. 

Blue Kids have popped up in Libertyville at several sites including St. Lawrence Church, Libertyville High School, Highland Middle School, Rockland Elementary School and Butterfield School, according to Blue Kid Sightings on the organization's website. 

"The goal of the project is to raise an awareness of the web sites available regarding child abuse and how to report suspected child abuse," said Pam Coleman of the Grayslake Exchange Club.

The Blue Kids Project is sponsored by the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center.

The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center is committed to providing a safe environment for child victims of abuse, according to the website. The goal of The Center is to investigate and help successfully prosecute offenders of child abuse without causing further trauma to the child victim. Furthermore, the Advocacy Center is dedicated to approaching victims of child abuse in a sensitive, respectful manner.

To report suspected child abuse, contact:

• Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, 1-800-25ABUSE (1-800-252-2873)

• Local law enforcement agency - Grayslake Police Department 847-223-2341 or the police department in the city where the abuse is suspected to have occurred

• Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center,  847-377-3155