Written by: Jamie Roth, Community Services & PR Director
A blue t-shirt designed by a local survivor of child abuse reads, “Try as you may, I was young; but I am strong; My life went on.” The shirt is part of The Clothesline Project display curated by Victim Services. [Photo courtesy WIRC].
The month of April is always a busy time for the counselors and advocates of WIRC-Community Action Agency’s Victim Services program. As warmer weather enters our region, their team is busy spreading awareness of two prevalent crimes in rural Illinois: sexual assault and child abuse. April is designated as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Throughout the month, Victim Services is hosting activities and awareness events to change the culture of silence and show survivors that free services are available to them.
For Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), teal ribbons will be displayed at multiple locations in Hancock, Henderson, Fulton, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties in Illinois. New this year, Victim Services is partnering with Fulton County Arts for a show of artworks created by survivors of assault. The art show will be held at Old Dog in Canton, Illinois from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on April 11. Several community leaders and law enforcement agencies will also sign proclamations for their respective communities throughout the month.
Back again this year, local coffee shops are partnering with Victim Services for a coffee cup sleeve campaign. Hot beverage orders will receive a specialty cardboard sleeve that teaches the public to believe survivors so that more people feel comfortable coming forward. Customers who receive these drinks are encouraged to share a selfie on social media or show their friends. The following coffee shops are participating this year: Maddy’s Coffee House in Astoria; The Muddy Cup Coffee Co. in Oquawka; Two Brother’s Café in Galesburg; and The Old Dairy, Bold Brew House Co., Hometown Café, Haymakers, and Z’s Breakfast & Lunch in Macomb.
Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM) activities can be emotionally moving and jarring to individuals who do not realize the impact in rural Illinois. The public is invited to show survivors they are not alone by attending any of the following free events: Hands Around Jones Park in Canton from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on April 15; Hands Around the Courthouse in Macomb from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on April 24; Hands Around the Courthouse in Monmouth from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. on April 15; and Hands Around the Courthouse in Oquawka from 2:00 – 2:30 on April 16. People in attendance will be invited to hold a blue awareness ribbon in a circle of solidarity for survivors. Awareness pinwheels will also be displayed in the event area.
Victim Services officials say that their office received over 3,400 calls to their crisis hotline in 2025. Each call offered counseling or advocacy to a survivor of sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence. Agency advocates often travel to local hospitals to speak up for and comfort survivors of assault while a rape kit is performed by trained medical professionals.
According to RAINN, 15% of sexual assault victims are children between the ages of 12-17 and 54% are adults between the ages of 18-34. The crimes of sexual assault or rape can happen to anyone of any gender identity, income level, or sexual orientation.
“Current research shows that one out of 10 rape survivors are male and one in six rape survivors are female,” says Debbie Collins, Director of Victim Services. “Many survivors suffer from PTSD or cope with trauma through substance abuse. This can happen anywhere, even in rural Illinois. We see how common it is more than most people because of the services we provide. It is very sad.”
If you survived sexual assault or child abuse of any kind, no matter how long ago it happened, you are welcome to call Victim Services’ hotline at 309-837-5555 to speak with a counselor or advocate. All services are free and confidential, and callers can choose to remain anonymous. Victim Services assists sexual assault survivors of all ages in Hancock, Henderson, Fulton, Knox, McDonough and Warren counties in Illinois.
A national sexual assault hotline is also available through RAINN by calling 800-656-4673 (HOPE) or chatting through their website at rainn.org/hotline/. RAINN’s services are also free and confidential.
WIRC-Community Action Agency (WIRC) is a nonprofit focused on making western Illinois a better place to live through its social service and community development programs. One of their programs is Victim Services, which offers free and confidential counseling and medical/legal advocacy to survivors of abuse. For more information about WIRC, follow them on social media or visit their website at https://wirpc.org/. Equal opportunity provider and employer.