A pinwheel garden will be planted at Weston Police headquarters on Thursday, April 25 at noon in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The police are partnering with and the Human Services Council’s Child Advocacy Center, Children’s Connection.

Pinwheel gardens are used nationwide during April to bring heightened awareness to child abuse prevention and symbolize the joy of childhood.

April 25 is also “Wear Blue for Child Abuse Day,” when people wear blue to show their support and post photos on social media with the hashtags #wearblue, #childabuseprevention, and #humanservicesct.

Child abuse and neglect happen every day in every neighborhood. No community is immune. Each day, five children die unnecessarily from child abuse-related causes. Parental drug and alcohol abuse are major child abuse risk factors.

For information on how to report suspected child abuse or neglect, please visit the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families website or call (800) 842-2288.

Children’s Connection is a nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center that works with public and private resources to identify, substantiate, and treat cases of sexual and severe physical abuse and provides community education on the topic.

“We are really excited to be able to raise awareness about this important issue with our partners at the Weston Police Department who we have the honor of working with every day,” said Children’s Connection Director Kari Pesavento.

For more information about Children’s Connection or the work the organization does regarding child abuse and neglect, Ms. Pesavento can be contacted by calling (203) 354-1961 or by email. Information about the Human Resources Council can be found here.