Bringing attention to child abuse is the aim of “The Pinwheel Project,” set for 5:30-7 p.m. April 25 in the basement of the Audrain County Courthouse.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Office sponsors this event. 

“It’s big everywhere - it happens more than we think,” said Leigh Thomas, crime victim advocate for the Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney, about the prevalence of child abuse, noting abuse can include various behaviors such as verbal, physical and sexual. 

The event will feature 50 to 60 snack meals donated by Dagwoods, several games provided by ACCIS, cookies and goodie bags provided by the Audrain County Juvenile Office, drinks provided by the Audrain County Clerk’s office and pinwheels and coloring sheets to be put together provided by the Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Office.

In addition, there will be resources provided by The Arthur Center, FCI (Fostering Care Improvement), CMCA (Central Missouri Community Action) and Children's Division. Cadets from the Missouri Military Academy will be at the event to help students assemble their pinwheels.

Child Abuse Prevention Month seeks to educate the public as well as to provide resources for the public, as some people don’t know where to look for help and some are scared to report child abuse. A kickoff event for the month was held in Jefferson City.

“And then just throughout the month, throughout the state, there are events all over,” Thomas said.

Thomas said there are more child abuse cases reported during school time than during the summer, and most cases involve young children but there are teens who have been abused, too. As far as the offenders, criminal charges depend on the severity of the case, as they can be put on probation or they could go to prison for years. Abuse charges can be misdemeanors and felonies.

“We continue to see numbers go up a little bit, and some of that is just because of awareness events like this,” said Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger, referring to child abuse cases. “And we have good resources in the community. When children disclose abuse, whether that’s physical abuse or sexual abuse, they are going to be listened to. It’s going to be taken seriously. That hasn’t always necessarily been the case. Law enforcement is very highly trained in how they deal with this. Our office is very highly trained. We spend a lot of time sharpening the saw and get ready to go to work on these issues.”

Because of more awareness, he said parents and families are more willing to support those children when they disclose abuse, and there’s a network of support that’s available in the community, from inside and outside of his office. 

“We’re seeing a whole community that’s becoming more aware of this and less tolerant of this stuff,” he said.

For more information about the event, call Kara Winterbower at the prosecuting attorney’s office at 573-473-5862.