CAC begins Child Abuse Prevention Month with pinwheel ceremony

Aaron McGuire
·2 min read
CAC begins Child Abuse Prevention Month with pinwheel ceremony

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas hosted a pinwheel ceremony at its office to ring in Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The ceremony, which lasted from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., saw Concho Valley residents of all ages don blue clothing to stand up for children who have suffered abuse and neglect in their region. During the event, attendees placed pinwheels on the campus’ lawn in a display of unity and support.

Child Abuse Prevention Month is observed by the United States throughout April, with communities from all across the nation taking part to “support and strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment,” according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

“Awareness and education are paramount to preventing child abuse,” The CAC said. “The mission of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas is to ensure each child in our community has a safe and nurturing home.”

Regional and local authorities for children’s advocacy often take part in the event by hosting several events throughout the month, and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas is no exception. Below is a list of activities, trainings and more that it plans to hold this April:

  • Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse Training

    • April 3, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Children’s Advocacy Center

    • Child abuse prevention is everyone’s responsibility, so CAC wants to ensure you are equipped with the necessary tools to help a child in need. In this free training, you will learn how to recognize child abuse and learn the process of reporting it. To sign up, contact Michael Cuellar a mcuellar@cacgreaterwtx.org.

  • Child Sex Trafficking: Awareness & Prevention Training

    • April 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Children’s Advocacy Center

    • In this free training, you will learn the current concerns presented in the State of Texas due to Human Trafficking/Child Sex Trafficking numbers and how educators and child welfare agencies can know what to look for, what to expect and what to report in the instance of discovering trafficking in a child’s life. To sign up, contact Michael Cuellar a mcuellar@cacgreaterwtx.org.

  • “Blue Fridays”

    • Every Friday during April

    • Blue is the national color for child abuse awareness, so this April show your support by wearing blue! Snap a picture and post it on social media using the hashtag #CACBLUEFRIDAYS to be entered to win a prize each Friday in April!

  • Blue Sunday

    • April 28

    • A day of prayer for local congregations to spread awareness for the prevention of child abuse in our community.

If you suspect that a child is being abused, call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or call 911 if you believe the child is in immediate danger. For more information about the CAC, Child Abuse Prevention Month, or how to get involved, visit the CAC’s website, call (325) 653-HOPE (4673) or email info@cacgreaterwtx.org.

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