Pinwheels for the Children: April Is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month Ceremony at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Dressed in blue with pinwheels in hand, local advocates and officials will kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month, joining a national movement to highlight prevention strategies and raise awareness to protect children from abuse and neglect.

The Mecklenburg County Child Abuse Prevention Team—a coalition of government, education, nonprofit, and health organizations—will host the event:

Speakers include District Attorney Spencer B. Merriweather III, representatives from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Pat’s Place, and more. The team will also offer light refreshments and a candy buffet. Weather permitting, the group will walk to the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, where participants will “plant” pinwheels at the courthouse’s traffic circle.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Used nationally as a symbol of child abuse prevention, the pinwheel reflects the bright, happy childhood that all children should enjoy. Gardens of pinwheels will soon be popping up across Mecklenburg County, and the Mecklenburg County Child Abuse Prevention Team will use those pinwheels to spark a community conversation in April about the role everyone can play in protecting children.

The team encourages everyone to wear blue for child abuse prevention. Its efforts focus on supporting families and educating the community about how everyone – not just parents and caregivers – can play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect. Throughout April, the team will share prevention tips through a social media campaign and promote local resources and training.

For details about upcoming events, ways to help and more information about the Mecklenburg County Child Abuse Prevention Team, visit Meck4kids.org.