BUFFALO, N.Y. — The month of April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and BestSelf is once again adding a 'pinwheel garden' as a symbol of hope and healing for survivors of child sex abuse, violence or trauma.
BestSelf team members began planting the 3,000 blue pinwheels Friday outside their building at 768 Delaware Avenue. Each pinwheel represents a child was reported abuse in Erie County.
The thousands of pinwheels give a visual of how many children in our community have been impacted by abuse or neglect, and the need to intervene and prevent future abuse.
"We believe every child deserves to receive the best possible treatment when these terrible acts occur," said Elizabeth Woike-Ganga, President and CEO of BestSelf Behavioral Health in a statement. "Our Pinwheel Garden is a powerful symbol of our commitment to protecting children and ensuring they have the support they need to thrive."
The pinwheel garden will be up throughout April.
If you, or someone you know is a victim of child abuse, BestSelf provides these tips on who to contact:
- If a child is in immediate danger, call 911
- New York State Child Abuse Hotline 800-342-3720
- New York State Mandated Reporter Hotline 800-635-1522
- Trafficking and Exploitation Hotline 315-218-1966. If you suspect a child is being trafficked or exploited, please call the hotline. For more information on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Human Trafficking, please click here.
For more information: Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf.