April is National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, and community partners dedicated to fighting mistreatment gathered in front of the Lauderdale County Government Center to set up a pinwheel garden marking the occasion.
Participating in the event were Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department, Lauderdale County Youth Court, the District Attorney’s office, Meridian Police Department, Wesley House and more.
Brandy Rea, executive director of Wesley House, which operates the East Mississippi Child Advocacy Center, said responding to child abuse cases takes a team with a wide array of skills. From mental and physical health to law enforcement, food and shelter, it is a community effort, she said.
“We truly do have one of the best multi-disciplinary teams in the country. I will stand by that all day, every day. You all are dedicated, you’re passionate. I’ve never seen a group come together so quickly with different personalities and different lenses and perspectives, but at the end of the day we all share that common goal of protecting and keeping these kids and families safe and helping as much as we can,” she said.
Each year, Wesley House establishes a pinwheel garden in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month to bring attention to those in need of support. Rea said pinwheel gardens have previously been installed at the Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian, but the decision was made this year to put it at the Homicide Victim’s Memorial at the Government Center.
“The pinwheels became a sign of prevention for child abuse several years ago, and it’s just a sign of hope and joy that we can hopefully prevent future child abuse but also help those who have experienced it,” she said.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun said his department works closely with Wesley House in cases where child abuse is a factor. The nonprofit’s efforts through its Child Advocacy Center are instrumental in not only helping abused children but also in holding abusers accountable for their actions, he said.
“We want to hold adults who abuse children accountable, and Wesley House helps provide us with the resources we need to do that through their child advocacy center,” he said.
Those interested in helping support efforts against child abuse can support Wesley House through monetary donations, donated food and clothing or by giving their time as a volunteer. If someone wants to help, Rea said, the nonprofit organization will find a way they can contribute.
For more information about Wesley House or its efforts in the community, visit wesleyhousemeridian.org or call 601-485-4736.