Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The blue and silver pinwheel is a national symbol for child abuse prevention that reflects the bright future all children deserve.
It also represents the whimsy and joy of childhood that all children deserve.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Wednesday several dozen people gathered on the southwest corner of the Kosciusko County Courthouse lawn to march once around the courthouse and plant pinwheels in support of child abuse prevention.
Before the march, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Kosciusko County Executive Director Erin Rowland Jones said, “We’ve got a great day today for another event to raise awareness for child abuse and prevention.”
In 1983, she said U.S. President Ronald Reagan declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“I think it’s a time where child abuse and neglect were kind of in the shadows. People didn’t talk about it. May not know about it. May not report it. And I think we’re in a very different place,” she said. “Child abuse prevention comes from not being in the shadows, helping families when you see they’re in need. Calling the hotline if you suspect or have seen child abuse and neglect. The more we shine a light on those vulnerable children and families, the more we’re able to assist them and prevent child abuse.”
She pointed out they already had a speaking event for Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 1 at The Gathering Place, but the march and pinwheel planting got rained out. She invited everyone there at Wednesday’s event to march around the courthouse square to draw some attention to Child Abuse Prevention Month, following by the planting of the pinwheels.
“I urge all of you to talk about Child Abuse Prevention Month. I urge all of you to help those families that you see struggling, and thank you for those of you here today to do that and those of you that I know work within that child welfare system,” Rowland Jones said.
She acknowledged the presence of Sheriff Jim Smith, the Department of Child Services, Bowen Health, CASA volunteers, the prosecutor’s office, probation department and “a lot of folks today that this matters. So thank you for being here.” Smith led the march around the courthouse, along with some representatives of Bowen Health.
If you suspect or believe there’s child abuse and neglect going on, the hotline number is 1-800-800-5556.
