NEDERLAND - April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In Colorado and around the country, this is the month to shout out and shine a light on child abuse. If we do not talk about it, we cannot fix it. 

The Child Advocacy Center says, “Every 11 seconds a child is reported abused or neglected in the United States. One in 10 children will be sexually abused before they are 18. For every incident of child abuse reported, it’s estimated that two incidents go unreported. 

“Hearing statistics like these is hard. Hard to comprehend and even harder on our hearts. Shying away from a difficult subject like child abuse doesn’t make it go away. Silence about child abuse allows the perpetrators to continue hurting children.”

There are organizations who exist to help families and children. They need support because families need proactive support. Families need care and resources, not communities and services who will judge them.  There are resources in Nederland and the Peak to Peak area that help to support families and abused children.

Child abuse and neglect includes physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse. Please report any indication of abuse of a child to your local child welfare agency.

Blue pinwheels have become a symbol for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Please wear a blue pinwheel pin or put a larger one in your yard to indicate your support for the safety of all children.