Advocates for Children is proud to announce our collaboration with community partners for Child Abuse Prevention Month 2022. April marks the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is a national initiative that raises awareness about child abuse and neglect and how to prevent it from happening. Advocates for Children is raising awareness during the month of April for the second year in a row with community partner, Harbin Clinic. Harbin Clinic is joining us in this campaign to help assure that children have the positive childhood that every child deserves.
Starting April 1st, Blue Pinwheel gardens will start popping up around town. The pinwheels, which represent innocence, are a national symbol for child abuse prevention. They reflect the bright future all children deserve and are a positive emblem of the effect we can have when we work together to prevent child abuse. In 2021, Advocates for Children conducted 479 forensic interviews for children who made allegations of physical and/or sexual abuse and neglect. This is almost a 25% increase from interviews done in the previous year.
“We were disheartened to see this increase in 2021, but sadly not surprised,” says Rachel Castillo, President & CEO of Advocates for Children. “Increased isolation during the pandemic and the increasing cost of living, among many other factors, tend to affect the rate of child abuse.”
“We hope that this month will help shine a light on this growing issue and inspire our great community to step up and drive change.”
On April 1st, volunteers from Advocates’ Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) & Harbin Clinic, will plant the first pinwheel garden at the Bartow County Courthouse.
“Planting a pinwheel garden at the courthouse is a longstanding tradition for us,” says Amanda Tant, Vice President. “We hear many horrific stories at the CAC, and seeing these pinwheels remind us of the healing and resilience in the children we serve.”
“Last year, our pinwheels were vandalized the day after we planted them. However, the first responders at the Cartersville Fire Department came and fixed the pinwheels before we even knew it was an issue. We are very grateful for everyone who works to support us and the children and families we serve.”
In 2021, Advocates for Children conduced 479 forensic interviews for children who made allegations of physical and/or sexual abuse and neglect. This is almost a 25% increase from interviews done in the previous year.
Our pinwheels for prevention represent innocence and are a national symbol for child abuse prevention. They reflect the bright future all children deserve and are a positive emblem of the effect we can have when we work together to prevent child abuse.
For information on how to get involved with Child Abuse Prevention Month, contact development@advochild.org