Pinwheels in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month have sprung up throughout Bucks County.
The Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) along with other local groups, worked together to put up the pinwheels to raise awareness of the importance of preventing and reporting child abuse in the community.
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The gardens represent the courage and commitment shown by Bucks County individuals in reporting more than 800 cases of suspected child abuse last year, according to CAC director Leslie Slingsby.
The pinwheel displays are sponsored by local organizations and businesses.
“More than 50 pinwheel garden sponsors from Bucks County government, private businesses, police departments, social service agencies and religious organizations all want to publicize the importance of protecting the children in our communities, and the CAC is tremendously grateful for their support,” Slingsby said.
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In the first two months of the year, CAC saw a nearly 200 percent increase in request for interviews with children in suspected child abuse cases. Slingsby said the increase is likely related to a new state law that requires people in health care, teaching, social service, day care, allied volunteers and others who interact with children, to report suspected child abuse to the proper authorities.
“The increase in reporting also shows that there is a growing commitment from everyone in Bucks County – not only police and agencies designed to address child abuse – to play a role in preventing and ending child abuse,” Slingsby said.
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People who suspect that a child may be in danger of being abused can call ChildLine, the statewide hotline, at 1-800-932-0313.
