Child abuse and prevention walk this Friday 

 

COLUMBUS—Area residents may begin to notice blue and silver pinwheels popping up around the county this week. Those are in support of Monday beginning Child Abuse Prevention Month.  

Polk County received a total of 291 reports of child abuse last year and had a total of 57 children in child protective custody throughout 2018.  

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Polk County Community Child Abuse Protection Team is sponsoring an awareness walk this Friday from 4-6 p.m. at Stearns Park in Columbus.  

The walk will include free food and games for children, as well as educational information about child abuse and neglect and resources available. Last year’s event drew a crowd, with free hot dogs, bouncy houses and other games for kids.  

“In Polk County the primary reasons children enter foster care and parental substance abuse, domestic violence and mental health issues,” said Kim Wilson, Senior Program Manager with the Polk County Consolidated Human Services.  

“Children will continue to be at risk for abuse and neglect unless we can intervene early with services and resources for families and children. You can change a child’s life by helping a parent change theirs. Prevention is always the best course and worth the investment.”  

The Polk County Department of Social Services accepted 209 cases out of the total 291 reports of child abuse and neglect made last year. The DSS currently has 46 children in their care.  

To learn more, people can visit Prevent Child Abuse NC at preventchildabusenc.org.