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Pinwheel planting at Capitol reinforces child abuse prevention, new grooming law
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By Jennifer Wimmer
Gov. Andy Beshear helped plant rows of blue and silver pinwheels outside the Kentucky State Capitol on March 31 as Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (PCAK) kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month with a call for greater awareness, training and support for families. The display in the Capitol’s English Garden was part of a statewide campaign that will continue throughout April with events designed to prevent abuse and neglect before it occurs.
PCAK staff, board members, community partners and state leaders joined Beshear for the late-morning ceremony in Frankfort. The program began outside the Capitol doors before moving into the garden for the ceremonial planting. Those in attendance placed the reflective pinwheels as a visible commitment to protecting Kentucky children and strengthening families throughout the commonwealth.
PCAK staff, board members, community partners and state leaders joined Beshear for the late-morning ceremony in Frankfort. The program began outside the Capitol doors before moving into the garden for the ceremonial planting. Those in attendance placed the reflective pinwheels as a visible commitment to protecting Kentucky children and strengthening families throughout the commonwealth.
The governor told those gathered that “we know the future of Kentucky rests with our young people, and we must invest in all of them and recognize that every adult has a responsibility to the safety of every child.”
Speakers returned several times to the idea that laws alone cannot solve the problem of child abuse and neglect. Jill Seyfred, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, said, “A law in and of itself is not going to help prevent child abuse and neglect, but when you have awareness coupled with advocacy organizations and partners and laws and legislation, it all combines to hopefully help make Kentucky a better place for our kids.”
Speakers returned several times to the idea that laws alone cannot solve the problem of child abuse and neglect. Jill Seyfred, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, said, “A law in and of itself is not going to help prevent child abuse and neglect, but when you have awareness coupled with advocacy organizations and partners and laws and legislation, it all combines to hopefully help make Kentucky a better place for our kids.”
Her comments came days after Beshear signed a bill creating a new offense aimed at grooming, which targets adults who build trust with children in order to exploit or sexually abuse them. The measure is intended to give prosecutors another tool to act earlier in suspected abuse cases.
Beshear also highlighted prevention work that depends on community training and vigilance rather than only on the criminal justice system. He pointed to the Upstream Academy, saying, “This program will train at least one person from each county that will prevent and recognize child abuse, and then that person will turn around and train 50 more people.”
Beshear also highlighted prevention work that depends on community training and vigilance rather than only on the criminal justice system. He pointed to the Upstream Academy, saying, “This program will train at least one person from each county that will prevent and recognize child abuse, and then that person will turn around and train 50 more people.”
He described the academy as a way to create local networks of trained adults who can spot warning signs, support families and connect them with resources before situations escalate.
Throughout the program, officials and advocates stressed the need to better support both communities and law enforcement to respond when children are at risk. Beshear said, “We need to equip our officers and prosecutors with every available tool to protect our kids and pursue their abusers,” connecting the new grooming law to the broader prevention agenda outlined at the ceremony.
Throughout the program, officials and advocates stressed the need to better support both communities and law enforcement to respond when children are at risk. Beshear said, “We need to equip our officers and prosecutors with every available tool to protect our kids and pursue their abusers,” connecting the new grooming law to the broader prevention agenda outlined at the ceremony.
Seyfred and other presenters urged Kentuckians to see the pinwheel garden not just as a symbolic display but as a reminder to listen to children, take concerns seriously and make a report if they suspect abuse or neglect.
The blue and silver pinwheel, introduced nationally in 2008, has become a familiar symbol of child abuse prevention and the safe, stable childhoods advocates say every child deserves. PCAK officials said the Capitol planting marked the beginning of a monthlong series of activities across the state, including additional pinwheel gardens in local communities, Wear Blue Day observances on April 1 and educational events hosted by schools, churches and civic groups.
The blue and silver pinwheel, introduced nationally in 2008, has become a familiar symbol of child abuse prevention and the safe, stable childhoods advocates say every child deserves. PCAK officials said the Capitol planting marked the beginning of a monthlong series of activities across the state, including additional pinwheel gardens in local communities, Wear Blue Day observances on April 1 and educational events hosted by schools, churches and civic groups.
Organizers encouraged residents to participate in April events, seek out training opportunities and support local prevention programs so that the message behind the pinwheels extends well beyond the Capitol grounds and the close of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Readers can learn more about Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky’s work, the new grooming law and ways to help prevent abuse by visiting pcaky.org or following Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.
For information on how to recognize and report grooming or suspected abuse, Kentuckians can use the resources on PCAK’s website, contact local law enforcement or call the state child abuse hotline at 877-597-2331. Anyone who suspects abuse or neglect can call the toll-free number, or 911 in an emergency.
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