Simpsonville police kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month

National Child Abuse Prevention Month raises awareness to protect children

(Release date: April 1, 2022)

Simpsonville, S.C. — The Simpsonville Police Department kicked off National Child Abuse Prevention Month today by planting pinwheels throughout the City of Simpsonville to raise awareness of child abuse and child abuse prevention efforts.

The Simpsonville Police Department is partnering with nonprofit Children's Trust of South Carolina in April to help raise awareness of child abuse prevention efforts during National Child Abuse Prevention Month | City of Simpsonville

Victims Advocate Milena Barroso oversees the April initiative for the police department and helped place the pinwheels.

"As law enforcement, we have the responsibility to keep all children safe, and that responsibility is our top priority," Barroso said. "Protecting our children and preventing child abuse is a team effort that involves whole communities.  April is the month in which we remind the public that child abuse exists and there are ways to effectively prevent it."

Blue pinwheels were planted at the Simpsonville Police Department to kick off National Child Abuse Prevention Month | City of Simpsonville   

Planted in communities across the country, the blue pinwheel is one tool used as the reminder that Barroso is talking about.

Joining with other organizations throughout South Carolina, the Simpsonville Police Department is a Child Abuse Prevention Month partner with Children’s Trust of South Carolina, a nonprofit committed to prevention of child abuse and neglect through partnerships, programming and education. The purpose of this invaluable partnership is to encourage people across the Upstate to help understand and create positive childhood experiences.

The public can find pinwheels at City Hall on North East Main Street, Veterans Corner on South Main Street and the police department on East Curtis Street.

Simpsonville police officers and staff plant pinwheels outside the Simpsonville Police Department on Friday to help raise awareness for child abuse during National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April | City of Simpsonville