Pinwheel Ceremony Brings Child Abuse Awareness to San Angelo

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and yesterday, a few schools in the area came out in support of the cause. Students from Reagan Elementary School, Glenn Junior High, and the San Angelo Christian Academy came out to show their support, through a Pinwheel Ceremony, for the abused children of San Angelo.

The students placed pinwheels in the green grass along the front of the courthouse to symbolize the confirmed child abuse cases reported in Tom Green County last year. There were 477 confirmed cases; however, many cases go unconfirmed.

Heather Ward, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center, said, “What we are doing today is engaging our community in the issue. We want everyone to know that child abuse, keeping children safe and strengthening families in a caring and resilient community is going to take all of us.”

The kids stood in front of the courthouse while music played and fun characters, like the blue bear from Blue Cross and the Chick-fil-a Cows, came out to dance with the kids.

The Children’s Advocacy Center put it all together and had help from the Angelo State University Social Work students. They have hopes of getting the word out, so all child abuse seen can be reported.

Niki Garcia is a social work student from ASU, and has been working as a field student with the Children’s Advocacy Center. She was out today with her fellow classmates and CAC coworkers, handing out pinwheels and bracelets for the kids who came to participate.

“This is important to me because it brings awareness to the community about all the kids of Tom Green County who were mentally and physically abused last year. Through this event, the abused children are getting recognized by each pinwheel in the grass,” Garcia said.

Max Parker, a lawyer here in San Angelo, spoke to the children before they put their pinwheels in the ground. He informed the kids to make sure that if they see child abuse or hear about it, or they encounter child abuse, they need to tell someone.

“You have the right to feel safe. You have the right to feel safe at school. You have the right to feel safe in your community. You have the right to feel safe at home,” said Max. “Many of you might feel safe already but some children in our community don’t feel safe in those places and might need help to get to a safe place.”

A student from Glenn Junior High said, “No child should have to be in pain; that’s not what their life should be about, and I hope by raising awareness, it will help stop it.”

Advocates also stated that San Angelo and Tom Green County residents need to be aware of the issues plaguing Tom Green County. With all the children welfare reforms, lack of funding, and with local law enforcement and CPS assistance stretched thin, the level of abuse cases will continue and/or increase. More has to be done on prevention, but it takes resources and the community coming together.

"There's a big gap," said one advocate about the lack of resources.

To find out how to assist, contact the Children's Advocacy Center at (325)653-4673.