“Powered by hope, strengthened by prevention.”
That’s the theme of Child Abuse Prevention Month locally, and that was the focus behind a special kickoff event Tuesday.
Representatives of SOS and Kansas Children’s Service League planted pinwheels at several locations in Emporia, including the Public Library. SOS helps the child abuse prevention cause through the work of the Child Advocacy Center, Child Visitation Center and CASA of the Flint Hills. CASA Director Corina Sanchez says people can help in several ways in addition to speaking up whenever they see signs of potential abuse.
KCSL Local Manager Lisa Harder says prevention begins with education, including information about healthy child development, stress management and discipline methods.
Prevention also includes community programs like parenting classes, crisis intervention and mental wellness.
Tuesday’s pinwheel planting at Emporia Public Library was the first of three such events, with plantings also at the SOS facility and at CareArc.
Child Abuse Prevention Month activities continue with the annual Take Back the Night event, slated this year for April 24. Activities begin at 5:15 pm with a march at Emporia State University’s Kellogg Circle, led by SOS and ESU’s THRIVE — standing for The Healthy Relationship and Interpersonal Violence Education program. The featured speaker is Susan Fowler, a journalist, screenwriter and author of “Whistleblower, Whistleblower,” a book about her experiences with Uber’s culture of sexual harassment and retaliation. Fowler will share her perspectives at 6 pm at ESU Heath Recital Hall.
Take Back the Night is free and open to the public. Copies of Fowler’s book will be available for purchase through a partnership with Middle Ground Books.
