April is “Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect” awareness month nationally, and here in Switzerland County along with other communities around the country, it is a time to inform the residents about a growing problem.
The Switzerland County Prevent Child Abuse Council held a vigil on Saturday morning on the front lawn of the Switzerland County Courthouse that was attended by approximately 100 people. Danielle Buxton, President of the Council, introduced her fellow PCA council members, and then told those assembled that the symbol nationally of at risk children has become the blue pinwheel.
Cliff Hartley opened the vigil with prayer
As a part of the vigil, blue pinwheels were placed around the gazebo on the courthouse lawn in memory and in honor of Switzerland County children who have been victims of abuse or neglect during 2013.
The number of pinwheels was staggering.
The pinwheels were broken down into months. Here’s a look at Switzerland County statistics:
– In January of 2013: There were five reported cases of physical abuse; five reported cases of sexual abuse; and seven reported cases of neglect.
– In February of 2013: There was one reported case of sexual abuse; four reported cases of physical abuse and five reported cases of neglect.
– In March of 2013: There were two reported cases of sexual abuse; five reported cases of physical abuse and three reported cases of neglect.
– In April of 2013: There were two reported cases of sexual abuse; three reported cases of physical abuse and nine reported cases of neglect.
– In May of 2013: There were four reported cases of physical neglect; one reported case of sexual abuse and 10 reported cases of neglect.
– In June of 2013: There were two reported case of sexual abuse; two reported cases of physical abuse and 11 reported cases of neglect.
– In July of 2013: There were four reported case of sexual abuse; four reported cases of physical abuse and six reported cases of neglect.
– In August of 2013: There was one reported case of sexual abuse; two reported cases of physical abuse and seven reported cases of neglect.
– In September of 2013: There were three reported case of physical abuse; four reported cases of sexual abuse and six reported cases of neglect.
– In October of 2013: There were two reported cases of physical abuse; four reported cases of sexual abuse; and 10 reported cases of neglect.
– In November of 2013: There were nine reported cases of physical neglect; six reported case of sexual abuse and seven reported cases of neglect.
– In December of 2013: There was six reported case of sexual abuse; three reported cases of physical abuse and 17 reported cases of neglect.
It should be noted that those are reported cases of abuse and neglect; and that there is no way of numbering the incidents that were not reported to Child Protective Services.
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After all of the pinwheels were placed around the gazebo; the PCA council announced the winners of the coloring contest that had been held in both elementary schools.
At Switzerland County Elementary School, the winners included: Brianna Stow, Mason May, Allena Weaver, Aiden Ferrari, Kaelin Taylor, Makenzie Arnold, Aleigha Arnold, and Mackenzie Lageman.
The top girl winner at Switzerland County Elementary School was Meagan Hempfling; and the top boy winner was Jalen Brookbank.
At Jefferson-Craig Elementary School, the winners included: Eve Bennett, McKira Scudder, Katlynn McEntire, Evan Bosaw, Brayden South, Jade Carr, Jasmin Davis, and Macy Collier.
The top girl winner at Jefferson-Craig Elementary School was Peyton Simpson; and the top boy winner was Ayden Stewart.