DCAC partners with local agencies for April’s Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month

Pinwheels represent abuse and neglect prevention. Photo courtesy of DCAC.

The Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) has brought back its Pinwheels of Hope initiative this month to raise awareness of child abuse.

Presented by Comerica, DCAC’s Pinwheels of Hope Yard Sign campaign spreads awareness throughout April. The pinwheel is the emblem of DCAC and a national symbol of joy and hope for child abuse victims and their families. Proceeds for the pinwheels benefit DCAC and the children and families the organization serves.

Pinwheels representing abuse and neglect prevention will also be displayed at Dallas CASA, Family Compass and Community Partners of Dallas.

The initiative coincides with the annual Dallas County Child Abuse Prevention Coalition (CAPCO) event at the Dallas CASA location. CAPCO is made up of several child welfare agencies including Dallas CASA, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, the Dallas County Child Welfare Board, Family Compass, TexProtects and the United Way of Dallas’ HOPES Program. The event will honor 13 Dallas children who died due to maltreatment in 2023, ranging from newborn to 16 years old. According to TexProtects, there were seven maltreatment fatalities in 2022 and 11 in 2021.

Last year’s CACPO event that honored local children who died due to maltreatment. Photo courtesy of Rosanne Lewis.

In Dallas County last year, there were 31,335 reported cases of child abuse, averaging a report every 17 minutes. Statewide, 173 children died due to maltreatment in 2023, equating to about three deaths per week. Additionally, 5,702 children in Dallas County were confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect in 2023, about 15 children per day.

Keynote speakers will feature Dallas Police Department’s child exploitation unit detective David Clark, student president of Push UNTil Success Happens, Ryan McLendon, Dallas County commissioner Theresa Daniel and The Hon. Sandre M. Street of the 256th District Court.

In conjunction with the event on April 4, Dallasites can look to the Dallas skyline to see buildings lighting blue to recognize child abuse awareness and prevention. Confirmed participating buildings include Bank of America, AT&T Discovery Center, Chase Tower, 400 Record and the North Texas Bank & Trust building in Plano.