-
Sheriff deputies plant pinwheels along with other law enforcement departments for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Wyndi Veigel-Gaudette | Citizen staff photo -
Child abuse prevention month highlights need in county -
Police Chief Cameron Ray plants pinwheels at Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center in honor of April’s Child Abuse Awareness Month. Below, Lyndi Hanna with Annie’s Therapeutic Companions along with her therapy dog Annie, were part of the Child Abuse Prevention event. Wyndi Veigel-Gaudette | Citizen staff photo -
The following organizations aided in planting pinwheels in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month: Erath County Child Protective Services, Paluxy River CAC staff, Cross Timbers Family Services, Erath County Sheriff ’s Office, Dublin Police Department, CASA, STAR Council, Lyndi Hanna with Annie’s Therapeutic Companions, Our Community Our Kids and the Erath County Child Welfare Board. Cierra Hawk | Citizen staff photo
One lawn on Stephenville’s South Loop glitters with blue and silver after 411 pinwheels were planted by Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center and its partners on Thursday, March 28.
This number reflects the total reports made to Child Protective Services for Erath County in 2023.
As April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, the spinning decorations act as a visible reminder that child abuse remains a problem and we can all do our part to fight it.
“Our goal is to bring awareness to the community about the ongoing issue of child abuse and to promote the healing of child abuse victims-one child at a time,” said Paluxy River CAC program director Shelby Gibson.
The PRCAC services Erath, Hood and Somervell Counties. In fiscal year 2023, the PRCAC provided 388 forensic interviews, 1,244 Family Advocacy Services, and 2,563 mental health services.
The vision of Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center is to reduce the trauma to child abuse victims and their non-offending family members and to work toward improving the justice system’s response to child abuse by uniting the efforts of public agencies and enlisting community support.
Paluxy River works toward these goals and serves the community thanks to their partners in law enforcement and other local organizations.
“In combating child abuse in our city, the resources of the Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center are invaluable,” said Dublin Police Chief Cameron Ray “They are there to assist with forensic interviews, family advocacy and anything we ask of them.”
“They truly are the unsung heroes of child abuse investigations,” he added. “We are grateful for our working relationship and together we ensure that justice is served and healing begins.”
The public has a couple of opportunities this month to show their support for preventing child abuse.
April 5th is Go Blue Day-Wear blue to show your support for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Those participating are asked to post “#standupforchildren” with their pictures.
The PRCAC will also host Sip & CAC to raise awareness at Hearsay Wine Bar (270 W. College, Stephenville) on April 10th from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. “Please join us,” Gibson encouraged.
The following organizations helped in planting pinwheels: Erath County Child Protective Services Paluxy River CAC staff Cross Timbers Family Services Erath County Sheriff’s Office Dublin Police Department CASA STAR Council Lyndi Hanna with Annie’s Therapeutic Companions Our Community Our Kids Erath County Child Welfare Board