They’re called “Pinwheels for Prevention”, and they are blooming in a sort of pinwheel garden on the front lawn of the Indiana County Courthouse.
The CARE Center of Indiana County plans an event at noon today as it marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Pinwheels will adorn the front lawn of the courthouse all month long, according to CARE Center director Jessica Clark.
The CARE Center’s mission is to identify, prevent, and intervene in cases of child abuse and neglect, using a variety of methods. One of its core duties is to conduct forensic interviews of children in criminal cases, providing court-admissable testimony from children who are interviewed in a comforting setting.
Clark says the number of child abuse cases coming to light is increasing, not necessarily due to more cases occurring, but likely because of increased efforts to identify them. She says the pinwheels symbolize that there is still hope for abused children.
A number of pinwheels were planted earlier this week and more will be planted today. Today’s ceremony is at noon on the Courthouse steps and will feature remarks from District Attorney Pat Dougherty and Jessica Clark. There will be pinwheels available for purchase for those who wish to show support for the CARE Center and for children, and to honor victims of child abuse.
