PITTSFIELD, Mass. — April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Berkshire County Kids' Place and Violence Prevention Center is preparing an awareness campaign of its own.

According to a report issued by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families in January, North Adams, Pittsfield, and Holyoke had the highest reporting rates of child abuse among Massachusetts cities in 2008. The center is reaching out to the public, inviting it to visit its Web site for upcoming events designed to promote awareness of, and prevent child abuse, including a "Race to Stop Child Abuse," on Saturday, April 3.

Berkshire County Kids' Place and Violence Prevention Center aims to provide a safe, caring, home-like atmosphere that coordinates the combined knowledge of law enforcement, social service, medical, prosecutorial and mental health agencies to ensure an effective response to childhood trauma. It provides services to victims of child abuse and their non-offending family members.

Services at the Kids' Place are free and available to victims of child abuse, children who witness domestic violence and non-offending family members. Hours are Monday through Thursday,  8:30 to 7, and Fridays, 8:30 to 5. For more information, call 413-499-2800.

Update, 4/1/10: The fifth Annual Blue Ribbon Race to Stop Child Abuse 5k, on Saturday, April 3,  will start and finish at Berkshire County Kids’ Place & Violence Prevention Center, Inc., on Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and the race will start at 10. The event is open to the public; anyone interested in participating  should call 413-499-2800.

Update, 4/5/10: Click here for race results.

Update, 4/6/10: On Friday, April 9, Step up for Prevention, a local event recognizing the importance of child abuse prevention efforts in Berkshire County, will take place at 10 a.m. on the steps of Pittsfield City Hall. One hundred twenty pairs of children’s shoes which will be placed on the stairs in front of City Hall to symbolize the average number of children who are confirmed as abused and/or neglected in Berkshire County each month.

There will be a short speaking program about the importance of prevention activities in Berkshire County. Speakers will include: Suzin Bartley, LICSW, executive director of the Massachusetts Children’s Trust Fund, Pittsfield's Mayor James Ruberto, Sen. Benjamin Downing, Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, District Attorney David Capeless, Anne Nemetz-Carlson, executive director of Child Care of the Berkshires, Kathrine Bierwas, executive director of Kids Place, Carolyn Mower Burns, executive director of Berkshire Families and Children, and parents who are active in the Healthy Families program.

For more information about the event, call 413-664-4821.