Child Abuse Prevention Month

 

April is Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month


Upcoming Events:
April 6th, 2023 5pm-9pm: First Thursday Event

Where? In front of Boise City Hall- 150 N Capitol Blvd, Boise

April 7th, 2023: Wear Blue Day

Where? Statewide!

April 12th, 2023 4pm-7pm: Child Abuse Prevention Day BSU

Where? Jordan Ballroom at the Student Union Building inside Boise State University- 1910 W University Dr, Boise

April 19th, 2023 2pm -4pm: Child Abuse Prevention Month Event

Where? Discovery Center- 131 W Myrtle St, Boise 

April 29th, 2023 11am-4pm: Health Fair

Where? Hispanic Cultural Center- 315 Stampede Dr. Nampa

 

Origin

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Six years later, the color blue began to represent awareness of child abuse and neglect.  In 1989, a grandmother from Virginia tied a blue ribbon on her car.  She did this in memory of her grandson after he suffered fatal consequences of child maltreatment. This simple act alerted her community to the tragedy of child abuse. The color blue now reminds people why it is so crucial to prevent child abuse.

Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness and inspire collective action, so children can lead their best lives.

Pinwheels for Prevention

Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the blue pinwheel as the national symbol for Child Abuse Prevention in 2008. Representing a carefree childhood, the pinwheel reminds us of the responsibility we have to ensure happy, healthy, and safe childhoods for all children in our communities.

Get Involved

“Together, we can prevent child abuse…because childhood lasts a lifetime” – Prevent Child Abuse America

Some simple ways to participate in Child Abuse Prevention Month:

  • Display pinwheels, especially gardens of blue pinwheels
  • Draft a letter to your elected officials emphasizing the need to invest in Idaho families and children
  • Wear blue
  • Draw a pinwheel and write a positive message using sidewalk chalk
  • Post your support for Child Abuse Prevention month on social media, in a video, or a blog post

Click here  for more creative ways to help raise awareness and promote happy, healthy childhoods.

This Year’s Theme

Every year, the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund looks forward to the opportunity to spread the important message of awareness for Child Abuse Prevention. . This years theme will be “Pinwheels for Prevention”. A pinwheel was chosen because they are the national symbol of child abuse prevention and represent a carefree childhood. The pinwheel reminds us of the responsibility we have to ensure happy, healthy, and safe childhoods for all children in our communities.

Resources

For urgent support, click here.

If you would like to donate or volunteer, please contact kim.hemmert@ctf.idaho.gov