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(Quincy, Ill.) Last year there were 111,000 reports of child abuse to Illinois DCFS; that's not including reports to local law enforcement.

So in honor of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month dozens of people joined together Tuesday, April 7th to fight child abuse.

The event was called Hands Around the Courthouse as people joined hands at the Adams County Courthouse.

Children from Cheerful Home attended the event and were able to leave their hand prints on this event.

KHQA spoke with Advocacy Network for Children Executive Director Clairice Hetzler about the purpose of the event.

"We're trying to bring awareness to child abuse to make sure people know that it's out there and that it's happening," said Hetzler.  "Sometimes in Adams County or Quincy or a rural community we want to believe that it doesn't really happen and that's just not really true."

What is the signifigance of joining hands?

"It's just that we're all here together, joining hands.  We're here as a community to be there, to protect our kids," said Hetzler.  "To put a wall around our kids to make sure their safe and that were working together. The hands specify that we're a team, we're working together for our kids."

Hetzler says if anyone suspects any sort of child abuse they should call the Illinois Abuse Hotline at (800) 25-ABUSE or contact local law enforcement.  She says it's better to report it and have it be nothing then have something happen to a child.