Commissioners proclaim April Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Crime Victims' Rights Week

The Clermont County Board of Commissioners on April 2 issued proclamations recognizing April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and April 6–12, 2025 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

Commissioner Claire Corcoran presented the Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation to Dorothy Meyer and Department of Job and Family Services staff. The proclamation recited statewide statistics cited at the meeting: "In 2023, there were approximately 84,524 reports of child abuse and neglect in the state of Ohio," and said Clermont County received "a total of 1,332 new reports in 2024" (as read at the meeting). Corcoran urged community members to take part in prevention activities and noted a pinwheel planting ceremony at the sheriff's office at 2 p.m. to kick off the month.

Vice President Bonnie Bachelor presented a proclamation designating April 6–12 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week, emphasizing kinship and community support for survivors. The proclamation recognized the Clermont County Prosecutor's Office victim advocates and invited community support for victim services.

Why it matters: The proclamations publicly acknowledge county priorities on child safety and victim support and call attention to community participation in local prevention and awareness activities.

Ending: Presenters and commissioners took photographs with staff and advocates; the board encouraged residents to participate in related events and awareness activities throughout April.