LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. One local organization continues to help kids in need and raise awareness.
Hundreds of pinwheels are being placed across Luzerne County to raise awareness for child abuse. It's something officials say is happening in our own backyards.
Planting pinwheels for prevention.
Ahead of national child abuse prevention month, the Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center is getting the word out about child abuse. It's an issue center leaders say continues to grow.
"In Luzerne County alone there were over 3,000 reports to ChildLine of abuse cases in Luzerne County and out of that we saw almost 500 of them. So each year the numbers are going up for the children who need our help," explained Shannon Peduto, executive director, Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center.
The pinwheels planted at the Luzerne County Courthouse and Hazleton City Hall serve as a reminder of these children.
"We ask that when you're driving by the courthouse in Wilkes-Barre or City Hall in Hazleton, that you picture one child standing in the place of every pinwheel, and that's how many children in our county need help because of child abuse each year," said Peduto.
Community organizations, leaders, and local law enforcement who work with the center joined the initiative.
"Events like this are so important in raising awareness within the community for everyone to be vigilant and to give child victims a voice in order to protect children and protect our community," stated Tony Ross, first assistant district attorney, Luzerne County
The Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center is a standalone nonprofit, and they provide services for families free of charge. This means support from the community is crucial in helping them keep their doors open.
