Pinwheels spinning in the breeze are an attention-catching adornment to the lawn of the Johnson County courthouse.
But advocates fighting against child abuse hope to use those decorations to draw awareness of an ongoing problem that is plaguing the county.
Throughout the month of April, a coalition known as Pinwheels for Prevention has planned a series of awareness-raising events and activities, including the pinwheel garden on the lawn of the county courthouse, a coloring contest for area children and a social media blitz.
“There’s a lot of stigma around child abuse and neglect, and the more that people feel comfortable talking about it and morphing it to positive family engagement and activities, the more we can reduce that stigma and get more families and providers involved, to reduce abuse and neglect within the community,” said Claire Winship, director of the Children’s Bureau in Johnson County and a local child abuse prevention advocate.
As child abuse remains a troubling problem in Johnson County, the group hopes by talking about the issue more, it can get families and children the help they need.
“The goal is to promote positive family activities and interactions and really create a space for families to grow and thrive together,” Winship said. “We’ve seen that when those opportunities are present, there is reduction in child abuse and neglect that we see throughout the community.”
In addition to heading the Pinwheels for Prevention group, Winship is also the director the Children’s Bureau’s prevention services, known as Community Partners. The goal of the program is to provide resources for families to prevent them from having formal intervention by the Department of Child Services.
Families who are experiencing problems or who exhibit risk factors are referred to the bureau, which works with them to give them the tools to turn around their situation.
“We get in there and work with them individually on what their goals are for the family and how to reach those goals,” Winship said. “We want to intervene sooner so there are fewer official involvements from DCS.”
From her work, she understands the issue of child abuse intimately.
In February alone, Johnson County substantiated 21 incidents of child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse, according to a report from the Department of Child Services. Eighteen incidents were substantiated in January.
Looking at all of 2020, the county had 257 substantiated reports.
But even as pervasive as it is, child abuse remains a hidden aspect of the community, Winship said.
Pinwheels for Prevention, also known as the Prevent Child Abuse Council, has been working in Johnson County to raise awareness and provide resources for families with the hope of reducing child abuse.
They attend area festivals and events to pass out information, visit schools to discuss the issue and make members of the council available to other community organizations wanting to learn more about preventing abuse.
“We want to raise awareness throughout Johnson County, and have as many community members present to spread the message for child abuse prevention,” Winship said.
Though it works year-round on that mission, April is a focus of its community-building efforts. Nationally, this is Prevent Child Abuse Month, and local organizers plan a variety of activities and events to make the issue more visible.
For example, on April 1, group members met on the courthouse lawn to set up pinwheels and a large banner that is easily visible to anyone passing through downtown Franklin. The pinwheel garden will be up until Friday, while others are planned in other areas all month long.
“Pinwheels are kind of a symbol for prevention of child abuse and neglect, so there will be different pinwheel gardens throughout the community,” Winship said.
Taking advantage of its social media following, the organization is also engaging in a campaign using #pinwheels4joco to encourage people to post pictures of their own pinwheel gardens and other shows of support for the child abuse prevention effort.
A Voice of the Child award, given to an outstanding advocate for children, is also part of the month’s festivities. This year’s winner was Tracy McQueen, who serves as a trauma advocacy coordinator for ASSIST Indiana.
Officials have also partnered with county schools to host a coloring contest for area students. Kids color the pinwheel image that has been distributed throughout the schools, then are asked to adorn that picture with drawings of the things that make them feel safe.
Students have until April 15 to finish it and turn it in. Prizes will be given to the best offerings, Winship said.
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Prevent Child Abuse Month
What: A nationwide awareness campaign drawing attention to the issue of child abuse and neglect, as well as community efforts to reduce it.
Who: Pinwheels for Prevention, also known as the Johnson County Prevent Child Abuse Council
How to get involved: Follow Johnson County Prevent Child Abuse on Facebook for activities and updates. People may also post pinwheel gardens and other public displays of support with #pinwheels4joco
Information: facebook.com/JohnsonCountyPreventChildAbuseIndiana
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