April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and The Owens House in Columbiana hosted a press conference last Friday to help make the public aware of an ever-growing problem.

The Owens House, named for Shelby County District Attorney Robby Owens, provides abused children with forensic interviews in a neutral, non-threatening setting as well as ongoing supportive therapy. Their cases are followed at that point by a family advocate.

Owens House reported that in 2005 there were 403 child abuse cases involving 549 children in Shelby County.

And according to statistics quoted by Owens House officials, experts estimate that one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthdays. The median age for reported sexual abuse is 9 years old.

The Owens House defines child abuse as &8220;any mistreatment or neglect of a child that results in non-accidental harm or injury and which cannot be reasonably explained.&8221;

It can include physical, emotional or sexual abuse and neglect.

Aside from this month&8217;s attempts to educate Shelby County residents about the dangers of child abuse and neglect, The Owens House has planned a fund-raiser as well.

The Seventh Annual Blue Ribbon Ride will be Saturday, June 10 at 10 a.m. at the New Heart of Dixie Harley-Davidson in Pelham. Registration will begin at 9 a.m.

In return for a donation of $20 per person or two persons on the same bike for $30, riders get T-shirts and a blue ribbon. Following the ride, a cookout is held with pins for riders and entertainment.

There will also be drawings for door prizes.

Owens House, the Shelby County Advocacy Center Inc., was formed by the Shelby County District Attorney&8217;s Office, the Department of Human Resources, the Shelby County Sheriff&8217;s Department, local police and other public and private agencies.

It is located at 22747 Highway 25 in Columbiana and provides &8220;a warm, nonthreatening environment where professionals, responding to reports of child abuse, meet with child victims.&8221;

Following the team interview process, the child and family may be referred for mental health therapy.

If a case is considered for criminal prosecution, a victim advocate is assigned to assist the child and family through the criminal justice system and the case is referred to an assistant attorney for prosecution.

Owens House executive director is Helen Rardin