Recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month
Child Abuse Prevention Month 2023
Every season is a new opportunity to build sturdy foundations for North Carolina’s children and to nurture positive childhoods across the state. North Carolina’s future prosperity requires the healthy development of our children. That’s why all adults have a stake in preparing North Carolina’s children to grow up to be healthy thriving members of our communities. We invite you to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month this April to nurture positive childhoods! Because prevention happens in partnership!
The statewide 2023 Child Abuse Prevention Month theme is: Nurturing Positive Childhoods Together: Prevention in Partnership
If you need technical assistance or support, please call Prevent Child Abuse NC Director of Communications and Marketing, Kris Demers, at 919-829-8009 (ext. 619) or email kdemers@preventchildabusenc.org.
Order Promotional Materials
Raise awareness in your community throughout the year with brochures, stickers, temporary tattoos, tote bags, clothing items, a garden flag, and more!
Visit the Shop
Order Pinwheels
Pinwheel orders are currently closed as we are evaluating the ordering process for 2024. If you have a questions, please contact Community Relations Manager LouMecia Staton at lstaton@preventchildabusenc.org.
Child Abuse Prevention Month Events
- Friday, March 31 – Wear Blue Day
- To participate, wear blue and share photos with the hashtags: #WearBlueDay2023 & #BeAConnection.
- April 1-7 – Week of the Young Child
- Week of the Young Child is a week hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children is dedicated to celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities.
- Pinwheel Planting – April 3
- Join NC DHHS and Prevent Child Abuse NC for a Press Conference and Pinwheel Planting at the NC State Farmers Market in Raleigh. Refreshments will be served. The public and media is invited to attend.
- WHEN: 11:00am-12:00pm
- WHERE: 1201 Agriculture St. – Raleigh, North Carolina 27603. The event will take place in the grassy area near the Farmer’s Market sign on the corner of Centennial Parkway and Lake Wheeler Rd. Free parking is available in the main Farmer’s Market lot.
- SPEAKERS: NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley; Lisa Cauley, Senior Director of Human Services in the DSS; and Sharon Hirsch, President & CEO of Prevent Child Abuse NC
- Join NC DHHS and Prevent Child Abuse NC for a Press Conference and Pinwheel Planting at the NC State Farmers Market in Raleigh. Refreshments will be served. The public and media is invited to attend.
- Pinwheel Planting – April 11
- Join NC DHHS, Division of Public Health (DPH), Division of Child and Family Well-Being and Prevent Child Abuse NC for a Pinwheel Planting at the NC DPH Six Forks Campus in Raleigh. Refreshments will be served. The public and media is invited to attend.
- WHEN: 11:30am-1:00pm
- WHERE: 5605 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
- SPEAKERS: Susan Gayle Perry, Chief Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being at NCDHHS; Susan Kansagra, State Health Officer/Assistant Secretary for Public Health of NCDPH; and Sharon Hirsch, President & CEO of Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina.
- Join NC DHHS, Division of Public Health (DPH), Division of Child and Family Well-Being and Prevent Child Abuse NC for a Pinwheel Planting at the NC DPH Six Forks Campus in Raleigh. Refreshments will be served. The public and media is invited to attend.
- Wednesday, April 19 – National Digital Advocacy Day
Join us in participating in Prevent Child Abuse America’s nationwide Digital Advocacy Day on April 19.Contact your member of Congress to advocate for increased investments for Title II, Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) grants, of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to provide states and communities the resources to implement community-based solutions to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. CBCAP grants are instrumental in providing supports to ensure prevention in all 50 states. This funding results in significant and positive outcomes and safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for all children, providing states and communities with the resources to implement community-based solutions. This crucial investment in American families will support resources at the state and community level that mitigate the challenges and stressors on parents.Your members of Congress need to hear from you! We have the extraordinary opportunity to educate lawmakers about the importance of investing in primary prevention. Please get involved by contacting your senators and representatives today!Take Action
- Five Days of Action – April 24-28
- 5 Days of Action is a week designed to raise awareness and inspire adults to take action to protect children from sexual abuse and is an initiative of the YMCA Champions for Child Protection, created and designed by Darkness to Light, with support from YMCA of the USA, The Redwoods Group Foundation, the Monique Burr Foundation for Children and the American Camp Association
- Host a Connections Matter Presentation
- Host a Connections Matter presentation for your workplace, community group or faith community and learn about the intersecting topics of ACEs, trauma, resilience and caring connections.
- Host a Children’s Sabbath Celebration
- Host a Children’s Sabbath Celebration and learn how the everyday connections you make help prevent child maltreatment in your faith community.
- Take and share photos and videos of your activities with Prevent Child Abuse NC
- Download the Photo, Video and Story Release Form to get consent of subjects in the photo, their caregivers/parents (if under 18 years old), and the photographer/videographer. Also available in Spanish.