Dayton Children’s recognizes National Child Abuse Prevention Month through annual pinwheel campaign

April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, and this year Dayton Children’s Child Advocacy Centers (CAC) are planting pinwheel gardens around the community to raise awareness of child abuse.

Nearly 1,000 children rely on Dayton Children’s CARE House, Montgomery County’s advocacy center for child victims of abuse and neglect, every year, and hundreds more depend on Michael’s House in Greene County and the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County. These children require assistance for their medical, psychological, legal, and/or social services needs.

Throughout 2021, 1,800 children utilized services provided by the local CACs. While this statistic is alarming, it’s likely a small number compared to those who are victimized. During the pandemic, far too many children were stuck at home with their abusers and are just now being identified through the safety net of schools and other mandated reporters.

During the month of April, Dayton Children’s is asking the greater Dayton community to show its support for children’s healthy development by planting a pinwheel garden. Pinwheel gardens represent our effort to focus on community activities that support families, and public policies that prioritize prevention right from the start to ensure child abuse and neglect never occur. Pinwheels are a reminder that we all play a role in children’s lives by ensuring their safe and healthy development. 

The Pinwheel Gardens at CARE House, Michael’s House and the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County will all offer a moving visual of the 1 in 4 children who experience some form of child abuse or neglect in their lifetimes through a pinwheel display.

To participate, families can download a digital pinwheel representing our Child Advocacy Centers. These pinwheels will allow adults to color with children and start a conversation around abuse.

Now is the best time to start these conversations and ask our community to get involved and be advocates for kids. As dedicated as Dayton Children’s Centers are to their mission, they can’t achieve it without every member of our caring community pitching in.

For more information and to download a digital pinwheel visit https://www.childrensdayton.org/events/child-abuse-prevention-month.