25,000 Child Abuse, Neglect Reports Logged In RivCo Last Year

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — On Tuesday, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Awareness month. County departments and community partners also hosted an awareness event in downtown Riverside the same day.

The activities are part of the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, a national initiative to educate community members, support families and raise funds to prevent child abuse and neglect. At Tuesday’s event, agency partners offered families access to support services, including financial, nutrition and behavioral health assistance, the county reported.

Advocates say support strengthens families and helps prevent a crisis before it starts, and prevention is key, according to officials. Riverside County caseworkers responded to about 25,000 reports of child abuse and neglect last year; nearly 4 million cases of suspected abuse and neglect are reported nationwide annually, according to the county.

"Abuse and neglect negatively impact the physical health, mental health and overall wellbeing of victims throughout their lives,” said Jeff Hewit, Riverside County Board of Supervisors chair. “We must do all we can do to prevent abuse. An important way is for communities to promote activities and resources that strengthen and support families.”

The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign includes the Riverside County Child Assessment Center at Riverside University Health System Medical Center. The center provides trauma-informed care to about 1,400 children in crisis in the nation’s tenth most-populous county.

“Often, these children carry guilt and shame because of sexual abuse. In many cases, they’ve suffered at the hands of the person who was supposed to love and protect them the most,” said RCCAT Medical Director Dr. Sophia Grant. “We’re helping to end trauma and begin healing for our most vulnerable children.”

At the county board meeting Tuesday, leaders from the Department of Public Social Services, First 5 Riverside County and Hope Collaborative spoke about the role integration plays in helping victims of child abuse. Partners work with law enforcement and private and faith-based organization to provide wrap-around services that promote healing, according to county officials.

“Integration is about engaging the entire community to support those who we serve,” said Charity Douglas, assistant director of the Children’s Services Division of DPSS. “It’s not simply about providing services to families, but also including them to ensure their voices are heard.”

“Families need connections to thrive,” said Tammi Graham, Executive Director of First 5 Riverside County. “Having support puts prevention into practice and helps children to grow in safe and healthy environments.”

County partners are encouraging families and local organizations to display pinwheels to show support for child abuse prevention. Advocates also encourage community members to promote positive parenting classes and share the warning signs of child abuse and neglect.

Pinwheels for Prevention events are scheduled throughout April countywide, including a public event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at RUHS Medical Center (26520 Cactus Ave, Moreno Valley).

Learn more about the campaign by watching this video: https://youtu.be/QQ1_F3kGSK4.

If you suspect a child is suffering abuse or neglect in Riverside County, please call the 24-hour child abuse hotline at 1-800-442-4918.