On April 2, 2024, April will officially be declared as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Vermont. Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT) and the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) continue to emphasize the importance of community involvement in ensuring children's well-being and providing families with necessary resources proactively. We recognize the significance of prevention programs during April's National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month, under this year’s theme "Building A Hopeful Future Together." To commemorate the occasion, PCAVT staff will plant a garden of 1,000 pinwheels at the State House lawn on April 2 at 8 AM. These pinwheels represent the happy childhoods all children deserve.
Linda E Johnson, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, highlights the necessity for communities to work together supporting families and children. Johnson emphasizes that the responsibility for raising healthy children extends beyond parents and caregivers and underscores the collective benefit when families, neighbors, schools and community groups collaborate to nurture children.“I know it can sound trite and a bit corny but it does take a village to raise a child” says Linda.
Acknowledging that stress and uncertainty within families can heighten the risk of child abuse and neglect, it becomes imperative to offer support and prevent abuse before it occurs. Prevent Child Abuse Vermont stresses that child abuse and neglect are preventable, and communities flourish when children and families receive adequate support.
To actively participate in raising awareness and making an impact during April and beyond, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont suggests the following actions:
- Wear blue on April 5, Wear Blue Day, and share photos or videos on social media using the #WearBlueDay2024 hashtag while tagging PCAVT.
- Follow Prevent Child Abuse Vermont on social media and share their posts throughout April and beyond, encouraging friends and family to do the same.
- Create a pinwheel garden, as pinwheels symbolize safe and happy childhoods for all children (Contact pcavt@pcavt.org to purchase pinwheels and plant them in your yard to demonstrate support and raise awareness)
- Access a calendar of family-friendly activities and additional resources at pcavt.org/cap.
- Make a tax-deductible donation to PCAVT at pcavt.org and your local Parent Child Center.
- Inquire about volunteering opportunities at PCAVT or your local Parent Child Center or youth-serving organization.
The mission of PCAVT is to promote and support healthy relationships within families, schools, and communities to eliminate child abuse. Serving Vermont began as Parents Anonymous of VT in 1976 and has grown to have a helpline and 3 main programmatic areas: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Family Support Programs, and the Safe Environments for Infants and Toddlers Program. PCAVT partners with organizations across Vermont, and many more both nationally and internationally. PCAVT’s programs are skills based, teaching adults how to nurture healthy development in children, and emphasize adult responsibility for keeping children safe.