NORFOLK, VA –Join Mayor Kenneth Alexander, child advocates and the Department of Human Services staff as they plant a “pinwheel garden” as a reminder of Norfolk’s commitment to keep our children safe from abuse and neglect. These 100 blue and silver “Pinwheels for Prevention” will sprout on Friday, April 13th at 2 p.m. in front of City Hall. The ceremony will include comments from Mayor Alexander and child advocates.
Mayor Alexander will also present the Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation at the formal City Council session on Tuesday, April 10th, at 7 p.m.
Spinning, shimmering pinwheels serve as the national symbol of the great childhoods all children deserve. Norfolk joins cities all over the country in planting pinwheels to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect during April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Research conducted by Prevent Child Abuse America estimates that implementing effective policies and strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect can save taxpayers $80 billion per year, through decreased use of services including foster care, hospitalization, mental health treatment and law enforcement.
Norfolk’s Department of Human Services offers a host of family support services to help keep children safe in our community. Find more information
here, or call 757-664-7790. It shouldn’t hurt to be a child. Learn to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. For more information, visit
Prevent Child Abuse Virginia.
To report suspected child abuse, call the Norfolk Child Abuse Hotline at 757-664-6022 or 800-552-7096.