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ST. JOSEPH — The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office is recognizing three victim service related observances this month and Prosecutor Amy Byrd brought information about them to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners Thursday.

      Byrd recognized that this is National Crime Victims Rights Week and that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month as well as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. She said the goal in recognizing victims’ rights as well as child abuse and sexual assault prevention is to let people know about the problem and the services available.

      With the National Crime Victims Rights Week, she acknowledged the work of the victim advocacy staff in her office led by Victim Coordinator Carolyn Groen. “They provide services to victims every day and walk them through the process,” Byrd said. “They work to be a shoulder for victims, an ear to hear their stories and someone to decode confusing legalese.”

      She spoke primarily about child abuse prevention efforts. “We want to dispel the myths and break the silence,” she said. “One of the myths we hear going into court is that it doesn’t happen that often. Actually one in four girls and one in six boys will experience sexual abuse before age 18.”

      “Another myth is that it’s done by strangers when in reality the majority of the time it is done by someone related to the child or in their circle of trust or a friend of the family,” she added. “It’s also a myth that the victim will never recover, but we know that talking about it and getting treatment will help them recover long term.”

      Byrd said a big problem is that children blame themselves for what happened and don’t tell anyone. She estimated that number to be as high as 30 percent or more. “We talk about it because breaking the silence leads to prevention,” she said.

      People can participate in recognizing the month by wearing blue, displaying blue pinwheels and educating themselves about the signs of child abuse. A program has been scheduled for April 24 from 2:30-5 p.m. at the Inn at Harbor Shores with former federal prosecutor Kevin Mulcahy the guest speaker.

      Byrd and county commissioners lauded the work of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan and Caring Connection. They said the advocacy center interview children and also support the children and their families with a variety of services.

      Byrd said that the advocacy center sees 500 children each year and her office handles dozens of cases each month. She said the prosecutor’s office is handling 23 cases involving child victims this month.

      Thursday’s meeting also featured a report from Animal Services Director Ashley Herr about Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week which is April 13-19. She outlined the work her department does, from sheltering animals and reuniting people with their pets to providing vaccines, microchipping and spay/neuter services.

      Herr said a “Bids for Barks” fundraiser and auction is set for April 26, a spay/neuter event on April 14 and 28 and an adoption special for cats and dogs April 13-19.