By Rich Cholodofsky
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Motorcycle enthusiast Ed Sandsmark knows all too well the horrors of child abuse.
So a year ago Sandsmark and more than two dozen of his friends formed a group calling themselves Bikers Against Child Abuse
with a goal to help children who have been victims.
"I have two children who were not treated fairly and there's nothing in the area where people can be reminded that this
happens. I knew when I started it it was too late for my kids, but hopefully it's not too late for other kids," Sandsmark
said.
The bikers group, based in Irwin, Tuesday afternoon unveiled a display in the courtyard in front of the Westmoreland County
Courthouse to bring attention to child abuse. The blue-ribbon display features the message, "Prevent Child Abuse."
It was built by Sandsmark and erected with the OK of the county Children's Bureau as part of child abuse awareness month
in April. The display will stay in the courtyard through the end of the month.
Sandsmark said his group, which counts 14 members and 25 supporters, was formed last year with a goal to help reduce incidents
of child abuse.
"When people go past this, hopefully they will see this and think about it," Sandsmark said. "Bikers are a completely different
community, we get to go to other places than most people. Anything we can do to raise awareness, that's what we're going to
do."
Westmoreland County officials said child abuse cases continue to be a focus of the Children's Bureau.
Last year the office investigated 157 cases of sexual abuse, 367 incidents of physical abuse, nine referrals for mental
abuse, seven physical neglect reports and 18 cases in which a child was thought to be in imminent risk.
The Children's Bureau said 16 percent of the abuse cases it received last year were substantiated.
"It is a problem and a lot of it does go unreported and sometimes it is reported to us after it is too late," said Michelle
Brant, a casework supervisor for the bureau.
Brant said the joint promotion between the Children's Bureau and the bikers will generate more awareness throughout the
county to help prevent child abuse.
"We hope this sign will make the general public aware and open their eyes and ears and make them feel comfortable calling
us if they have a suspicion," Brant said.
Rich Cholodofsky can be reached at rcholodofsky@tribweb.com or 724-830-6293.
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