Luzerne County raises awareness for child abuse prevention
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
The Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center is raising that awareness a few weeks early with its Annual Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign outside of the county’s courthouse.
As you can see, pinwheels are placed across the lawn behind me. These pinwheels went up Friday morning through the help of local law enforcement, county child advocacy center staff, elected officials, and area nonprofits.
The groups have the same goal: Raising Awareness and Preventing Child Abuse.
The more than 500 pinwheels on the courthouse lawn represent the reported victims of child abuse in Luzerne County in 2023.
528 pinwheels dot the lawn. Each one represents a child in Luzerne County.
“So when people travel by here they should definitely take a look and notice it, and it definitely does raise awareness,” said Det. Stephen Gibson from Kingston Police Department.
The team at the Child Advocacy Center says this awareness is crucial.
“Child abuse is happening in your neighborhood it could be even happening next door,” says Shannon Peduto executive director at the Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center.
Peduto says if you see something, say something.
“We do encourage people that if you are thinking something is happening, please call. You don’t have to be the one to do any investigations, or even have proof. Let us as the multidisciplinary team handle all of that. just make the phone call,” explained Peduto.
The pinwheels will remain on the courthouse lawn through the entire month of April.
For more information on the Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center visit their website.
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