For decades, the month of April has been the time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect. This month has been anything but typical and that includes methods to help protect Kentucky’s children.
When it comes to raising awareness of child abuse, April has been a time when spinning pinwheels dot high visibility public and private areas across Kentucky. Although public ceremonies to recognize the plantings didn’t take place this year, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky Director Jill Seyfred said 50,000 pinwheels were distributed.
And while in-person visits are on hold with the current coronavirus pandemic, Seyfred noted technology still provides ways to detect abuse and neglect. “There’s questions that you can ask virtually as you’re seeing an image on your screen, much the same way you ask questions in person.”
Seyfred said reports of child abuse and neglect have declined dramatically in Kentucky and other states. She admits that’s a concern when the opportunity for children to be harmed increases when there is financial instability, social isolation, and anxiety.
Here's an extended interview with Jill Seyfred:
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