It’s estimated that, before their 18th birthday, nearly one in 3 children in the United States is physically abused and more than one in 5 is sexually abused .
April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. According to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Centre County, Mt. Nittany Health, parents, adults, caretakers, and the entire community need to work to recognize signs of abuse and to actively respond.
Advocacy Center Director Kristina Taylor-Porter says, “I think that there are more resources available. I think the more we grow in our awareness, the more people want to become involved in how to respond to it and how to be involved and really combatting the issue.”
On Tuesday, at the Blair County Courthouse, a Children’s Memorial Flag will be raised to recognize National child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
Also, pinwheels will be “planted” in front of the courthouse, as a reminder that everyone plays a part in protecting children from abuse.