Berrien County prosecuting attorney urges action during Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Amy Byrd, Berrien County prosecuting attorney, told the Berrien County Board of Commissioners that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and presented local statistics and resources for victims and families.

"The reality is 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls will be victims of some type of sexual assault by the time they reach age 18," Byrd said, adding that rates are higher for people with developmental delays. She said an estimated 30 percent of sexual assaults are never reported and that most perpetrators are known to the child rather than strangers.

Byrd said community organizations provide trauma-informed support and investigative services. She identified the Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan as the nonprofit that conducts forensic interviews and offers free counseling, and named the Caring Connection (referred to in her presentation as the empowerment center) as a shelter and treatment resource for assault victims and their families. Byrd also recognized members of her office's victim advocacy unit by name: Carolyn Gruen, Kat Reifschneider, Yadira Torres and Zoe, who were present at the meeting.

Byrd invited commissioners and the public to local events tied to awareness and fundraising. She described an upcoming "Tea Talk" hosted by the Children's Advocacy Center, featuring Kevin Mulcahy, a former federal prosecutor who also speaks publicly about surviving child sexual abuse. Byrd said the event will be held locally at the Inn at Harbor Shores and called it a chance to learn more about services and community needs.

Commissioners praised the Children's Advocacy Center. One commissioner, identified in the meeting as Commissioner Bob, who said he had served on the CAC board for more than 10 years, called the center a "critical part of our community" and urged continued support. Byrd said the CAC and partner agencies help keep children from being repeatedly interviewed and provide trauma-focused, child-centered forensic interviews so a child typically only needs to tell their story once.

Byrd provided local service figures in response to commissioners' questions: she said the CAC serves approximately 500 children a year, and that the prosecuting attorney's office had 23 cases involving child victims in the current month, including alleged sexual and physical abuse. Byrd and commissioners encouraged tours of the CAC and further information-sharing among agencies to track local impact.

Votes at a glance: earlier in the meeting the board approved minutes from the prior week. The motion to approve the minutes was moved by Commissioner Pitchford and supported by Commissioner Vollrath; the clerk noted 11 members present and one absent, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Byrd closed by emphasizing prevention and the role of community awareness and support services in helping victims recover and in protecting children from further harm.