Thousands of pinwheels to be planted for Child Abuse Prevention Month
Apr 26, 2022, 2:21 PM
Since 2008, people have planted blue pinwheels to remind us of children who can't be carefree. Photo credit: Primary Children’s Hospital.
SALT LAKE CITY — April is Child Abuse Prevention Month across the country. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, participants from Salt Lake County, and the Family Support Center will plant 3,741 blue pinwheels on April 28. Each pinwheel represents one child who is a confirmed victim of abuse or neglect in Salt Lake County.
Since 2008, people have planted blue pinwheels to remind us of children who can’t be carefree.
According to the Family Support Center, last year, 9,062 children were victims of abuse or neglect in Utah. Out of all confirmed cases, 66% of physical, sexual, or emotional child abuse and neglect victims range from infancy to 11 years of age.
The Family Support Center is a nonprofit agency. They provide education, resources, and support to families to lessen the possibility of domestic violence and abuse. Furthermore, they have a crisis nursery care for children ages 0-11 in three locations throughout Salt Lake Valley. Locations include Sugar House, West Valley, and Midvale. The crisis nurseries do not charge a fee for the use of their facility.
According to the Family Support Center, the crisis facilities use is to prevent abuse and neglect of children. Also, they provide a place for stress breaks, medical emergencies, appointments, legal obligations, job searching, and other crisis situations for parents.
The center also offers parent education classes for free. Through an 8-week program, parents can understand their child’s behavior and development. Additionally, parents learn the tools to create a peaceful and nurturing environment.
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