The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will hold a child abuse prevention forum from 10 a.m. to noon April 14 at Ivy Tech Community College, Illinois Fall Creek Center Building, Community Room, 50 W. Fall Creek Parkway North Drive, Indianapolis.

The forum aims to educate parents, teachers, coaches, law enforcement officers and youth service providers about strategies to recognize and prevent child abuse.

During the forum, attendees will learn more about how child abusers capitalize on the trust of families, professionals, and the public to find victims, abuse them and ultimately avoid accountability. A medical professional will address the “red flags” of child abuse, the long-term impact of abuse, prevention strategies, and how the medical community can offer assistance. In addition to presentations by MCPO deputy prosecutors, the mother of a victim will give a first-hand account of her journey from discovering the abuse to the incarceration of the offender.

“Every citizen has a responsibility to protect the children in our community, and we want to be sure those who care for our children have the tools they need to safeguard our vulnerable children,” said Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry. “I strongly encourage all adults to become educated and engaged in protecting our children from such abuse, as it has a lasting and profound impact on their lives.”

Curry will provide opening remarks at 10 a.m. The forum is free, and all adults are welcome. All attendees will receive a certificate for completion of the two-hour training. Seating is limited, so people who wish to attend must reserve a space by contacting Annie Kern at 317-327-3642 or Annie.Kern@indy.gov.