Norwalk Police To Plant Garden For Child Abuse Prevention Month

NORWALK, CT — In observance of National Child Abuse Prevention month in April, the Norwalk Police Department and the Human Services Council’s Child Advocacy Center, Children’s Connection, are partnering to plant a pinwheel garden on Friday, April 5 at 3 p.m at Police Headquarters on Monroe Street. Pinwheel gardens are used nationwide during the month of April to bring heightened awareness to child abuse prevention and symbolize the joy of childhood.

According to a press release, April 5 is also "Wear Blue for Child Abuse Day," so some in attendance will be dressed in blue to show their support. Anyone who cannot make it to the department that day can wear blue and post photos to social media with the hashtags #wearblue, #childabuseprevention and #humanservicesct.

"Child abuse and neglect happen every day in every neighborhood. No community is immune," Lieutenant Terrence Blake said in a press release. "Each day, five children die unnecessarily from child abuse related causes. Parental drug and alcohol abuse are major child abuse risk factors."

For information on how to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect, please visit the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families website or call 800-842-2288.

Children’s Connection is a nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center that works with public and private resources to identify, substantiate and treat cases of sexual and severe physical abuse and provides community education on the topic.

"We are really excited to be able to raise awareness about this important issue with our partners at Norwalk Police Department who we have the honor of working with every day," Director of Children’s Connection Kari Pesavento said in a release.

For further information on Children’s Connection, please visit www.hscct.org or contact Pesavento at 203-354-1961 or at kpesavento@hscct.org.

Contributed press release.