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WATERVILLE — KVCAP’s Family Enrichment Council has planted hundreds of pinwheels in the Waterville downtown triangle as a demonstration of the belief that child abuse can be prevented, not just intervened in.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness month, and pinwheels, the national symbol for child abuse prevention, have come to serve as a reminder of the great childhoods we want for all children, the organization said in a news release. Each year, KVCAP mobilizes the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign in Kennebec and Somerset counties, encouraging everyone to take simple actions that can make a big difference in the lives of children. KVCAP is also hosting several family-oriented events throughout the month of April to raise awareness, the organization said.
In 2016, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services reported 829 substantiated cases of child abuse and/or neglect in Kennebec and Somerset counties, the release said. The impact of child abuse affects not only the child and family, but the community as a whole. Communities have a significant influence on families’ lives and can provide support in many ways, according to the release.
“It takes a village to care for our families and children,” said Lanelle Freeman, KVCAP’s social services director. “Parenting is the hardest job anyone will ever have. It is vital that we all reach out and provide support to all of the families in our community.”
KVCAP’s Child Abuse Prevention efforts focus heavily on building the protective factors of individuals, families, and communities that have been shown to reduce or eliminate risk and promote healthy development and well-being of children and families. The goal of Pinwheels of Prevention is to engage people in taking “extraordinary ordinary” actions that can reduce stress for families and increase resilience for kids, the release said, adding that everyone has a role to play in preventing child abuse and supporting families.
For more information on how to take action, contact Freeman at 859-1577. KVCAP has several events planned this month to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect. Visit www.kvcap.org to learn more.
