2 weeks Ago
And they're a national symbol of Childhood Abuse Prevention Month, which takes place in April each year. On Thursday, Porter County Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Buitendorp hosted an event at the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso highlighting the omnipresent issue of child neglect and abuse. Attendees included Department of Children's Services employees, Court Appointed Special Advocates and Geminus, a major provider of social services to children and families in Northwest Indiana.
All three groups provide critical services to families and children in Northwest Indiana. An estimated 558,899 children — eight in every 1,000 — were victims of abuse and neglect in the U.S.
in 2022, the most recent year national data was available, according to the National Children's Alliance. In Indiana, a reported 13,755 Hoosier children were in need of DCS services in March 2025, according to the state's dashboard, more than the reported number in March 2023 and March 2024. In March, a total of 873 children in Lake County had DCS cases, compared to 147 in Porter County and 258 in LaPorte County.
"(April) is a time when we come together to raise awareness, take action and reaffirm our commitment to protecting our community’s most vulnerable: our children," Buitendorp said in a speech to the attendees. "Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment, free from harm and fear." The criminal justice system, specifically judges, play an important role in the fight to keep children safe, Buitendorp said.
"We (courthouses) are not just places where justice is administered; we are guardians of children’s safety and advocates for their future," she said. "By ensuring that every case of abuse is handled with urgency, compassion and fairness, we send a powerful message: Child abuse may be prevented, will not be tolerated and every child’s voice matters." But Buitendorp made it clear that prevention begins before judges like her adjudicate child abuse cases in a courtroom.
"It starts in our communities," she said, "with education, support services and a commitment to listening when children speak. The court can lead by example — partnering with schools, social services and advocacy groups to help families before abuse occurs and protect children when it does.".
