Child Abuse Prevention proclamation ceremony set for April 10

Pinwheels are planted on the square in Athens for child abuse victims in 2017. Area nonprofits and officials will come together again this year to plant pinwheels on the west lawn of the courthouse square, in Athens, in honor of local victims. (Photo from The Henderson County Help Center Facebook page)

Press release

East Texans are invited to speak out against child abuse and neglect by attending a Proclamation Ceremony Tuesday, April 10th, on the West side of Court House Lawn.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is time to recognize that 295,485 Texas children reported abused or neglected last year to Child Protective Services (CPS).

Area nonprofits and officials will come together the second week of April to plant pinwheels on the west lawn of the courthouse square, in Athens, in honor of local victims. The pinwheels will be displayed for one week.

“No child ever asks to be abused or neglected,” said Leslie Saunders, Executive Director of the Henderson County HELP Center. “It’s up to everyone to look out for the children in our community.”

Last year, CPS in Henderson County reported 3 child deaths as a result of abuse or neglect, 443 confirmed cases of abuse or neglect, and 151 children were removed from their homes as a result. The Child Advocacy Center which offers medical exams, mental health services, case management and more, served 486 primary and secondary victims of child abuse last year.

For more information on how to prevent child abuse, how to get help with parenting skills or what to do if you suspect abuse, visit www.itsuptoyou.org or www.onewithcourage.org.

If you suspect child abuse or neglect please call 1-800-252-5400 or report online www.txabusehotline.org.

The Henderson County HELP Center or Maggie’s House can be reached at (903) 675-4357.