Governor Tom Vilsack this morning signed a proclamation declaring April as”child abuse awareness month.” Over 80 members of “Prevent Child Abuse Iowa” and the Child ProtectionCouncil were on hand for the event, which was held in Vilsack’s office. Vilsack began by referring to the Spirit Lake case — the death oftwo-year-old Shelby Duis — which has focused public attention on the issue.It brought Vilsack to talk publicly about his own abuse at the hands of hismother. Vilsack said too often, people think child abuse doesn’t happen to quote “folks like us.” He says it happens in every family.Vilsack said he’ll meet with top department of human services officialslater this week to get a preliminary report on the Shelby Duis case.
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