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QUINCY, ILL. -- Law enforcement and local officials say you can help stop child abuse.

That was the message today during a flag raising ceremony in honor of April being Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month at the Adams County Courthouse.

Officials say child abuse is a growing problem all over the Tri-States.

Clairice Hetzler is the Executive Director of the Advocacy Network for Children.  She says CASA and the Children's Advocacy Network sees a total of 250 physically or sexually abused children every year in Adams County alone.

Some children lose their lives, the rest suffer from permanent scars.

Child Advocates say they hope you don't just think of child abuse one month a year, but every day with the children you know and love.

Hetzler said, "I hope they watch out for kids, that they protect kids, that they listen and that when a child tells you something that you believe it. You have to be careful who has your children and who watches your children,  who is with your children and then protect them the best that you can."

Since the Child Advocacy Center began more than a decade ago, it's served more than two thousand sexually abused children.