COMMENTARY Blue pinwheels represent child abuse prevention

The pinwheel is a “timeless symbol for childhood,” according to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) website dedicated to the Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign. Last year, the group distributed around 15,000 pinwheels across the state as a “reminder that it is not enough to respond to child abuse and neglect — we must build and support strong families through community engagement, programs, and policies. This movement works toward developing communities that are healthy, safe, and nurturing for all children and all families.”

Programs for Peaceful Living operates locally as Klickitat County’s Crime Victims Service Center and supports the campaign. It invites community members who want to participate to reach out for supplies to help spread awareness of the issue. Its goal is to promote safe, healthy, and happy childhoods, which are essential to building a foundation for children to grow into stable, healthy, and successful adults who can help communities thrive.

Community members are encouraged to wear blue in April and help share information and resources. To learn more about the signs of child abuse and neglect and how to help prevent it from happening in your community, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect.

Anyone can help aid in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. To take action or report suspected child abuse or neglect, call DCYF at 855-420-5888.

To request blue pinwheels or receive local support, contact local advocates in Klickitat County during business hours by calling Programs for Peaceful Living in Bingen at 509-493-1533 or in Goldendale at 509-773-6100. If you need local support for a child abuse or neglect issue after hours, call the 24-hour crisis line at 844-493-1709.

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Una versión en español de esta historia está en línea en www.columbiagorgenews.com/enespanol.