April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

The CAN Council (Child Abuse and Neglect Council) is raising awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April by encouraging local communities to ‘plant’ virtual pinwheel gardens (called pinwheels for prevention) on their social media pages to help raise public awareness of child abuse and neglect. As an identifiable reminder for children’s advocacy, this call to action by the CAN Council throughout April also challenges our community to examine the negative impact of child abuse, while focusing on prevention.

In addition to planting a virtual pinwheel garden, advocates are encouraged to host a fundraiser, attend online prevention training, complete a pinwheel coloring page, paint pinwheels on windows, draw pinwheels with sidewalk chalk, and make pinwheels at home [learn more]. These outreach activities and resources proactively spotlight the successful promotion of positive child and family well-being throughout our community.

CAN Council President and CEO, Emily Yeager, stated, “The CAN Council takes care of our most vulnerable children by working to build communities within our region where children are free from abuse and neglect. We encourage community members to raise awareness and show support this April by ‘planting’ a virtual pinwheel garden on their social media accounts. Another great way to get involved is by volunteering. We’re currently recruiting Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteers for an upcoming training beginning June 8. CASAs serve as a voice for children in Bay and Saginaw county who are in the court system due to abuse and neglect, and are oftentimes the one constant adult presence in these children’s lives. Anyone interested can apply online at www.cancouncil.org/casa. You can also support CAN Council’s important work by contributing to our efforts at www.cancouncil.org/give.”

CAN Council actively works throughout our communities to provide prevention education, advocacy for victims of child abuse and neglect, and intervention on behalf of potential victims. If abuse or neglect is suspected, make the toll-free, confidential call to (855) 444-3911 to help break the cycle. The CAN Council shares seven tips to protecting children including 1) Watch your child; 2) Listen to your child daily; 3) Teach privacy by living it; 4) Do not force, shame, or pressure your child into hugging or kissing family members or friends; 5) Teach the correct words for the children’s private parts; 6) Talk to your child about safety rules, and; 7) Always believe a child over an adult when it comes to sex.

Together we can stop child abuse and neglect. To learn more about the CAN Council, visit www.cancouncil.org.