LANSING, MICHIGAN - Nearly 700,000 children in the U.S. are abused each year. In 2020, Michigan investigated 63,898 cases of child abuse. Thursday, April 1, is national wear blue day to support the essential work needed in communities across the country to ensure a better, safer future for all children.

April is child abuse awareness month, and the Small Talk Children’s Advocacy Center in Lansing brings awareness to the 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys estimated to be victims of child sexual abuse. Accredited with the National Children’s Alliance, Small Talk coordinates investigations into child sexual abuse and severe physical abuse in Ingham and Eaton counties.

Small Talk is bringing awareness to Child Abuse this month with their “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign. To get involved and become a part of the conversation, Small Talk invites community members to donate, educate and volunteer. For a suggested donation of $25 at SmallTalkCAC.org/Prevention, a pinwheel garden kit will be shipped to a home or workplace of choice. Small Talk encourages neighborhood associations, service groups, or individual workplaces to invite their staff to conduct a Q&A or free training virtually to discuss the important topic of child abuse.

Regarding volunteering, the Small Talk staff will be planting pinwheel gardens around town in April and invites anyone who would like to join. The dates for these events are to be determined and will be masked and in small groups.

To learn more about preventing child abuse, and to get involved with Small Talk, visit their website at www.SmallTalkCAC.org/prevention