Advocates: Most child abusers not strangers

These include parenting classes, teen programs and school programs teaching kids how and when to report abuse.

Carl Musci spoke of his role as parent program coordinator, and the classes he conducts with the Parent Empowerment Program to stop the cycle of abuse.

"We don't want to criticize them, we don't want to tell them they're wrong," he said. "We just want to help them."

Center Vice Chairwoman Gloria Cukar outlined some of the symptoms of child abuse, including depression, anxiety and eating disorders and pleaded with attendees to become active in supporting the victims.

"It takes a village to raise a child," Cukar said. "It takes a village to protect them."

Reach Greg Marano at gmarano@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4809.


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