Supervisors declare April Child Abuse Prevention Month

Henry County supervisors signed a proclamation on Thursday, March 28, declaring April Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Throughout April, blue and silver pinwheels will be seen on the courthouse lawn and thorughout Henry County as a symbol for child abuse prevention. Pinwheels stand for the carefree childhood every child deserves, said Arin Jones, with the Iowa State Extension Office.

Child abuse is preventable, Jones said.

Children are the most valuable resource and will shape the future of Henry County, the proclamation states. Child abuse and neglect directly harms children and increases the likelihood of long-term physical and mental health problems, alcohol and substance abuse, continued family violence and criminal behavior.

Only $1 is spent on preventing child abuse in Iowa for every $50 spent treating it. Children suffering from child abuse are more likely to engage in risky behavior, perform poorly in school, develop unhealthy relationships, suffer from depression, attempt suicide and express violent aggression.

Iowa is leading research efforts to better understand the negative long-term outcomes of child abuse and neglect among adults through the Adverse Childhood Experiences study (ACEs), which shows that poor physical health, mental health and financial health in adulthood is attributed to adverse experiences in childhood.

Jones said newer research shows it's important for kids to have a stable, caring and connective long-term relationship with a trusted adult because it can create better resilience to negative things that can happen in a child's life as opposed to having no adverse childhood experiences.

'Those relationships are extremely important as long as they are long term, stable and nurturing, Jones said.

Positive social supports for children and adults are key factors to improving social well-being in Iowa.

April 5 is National Wear Blue Day for child abuse prevention. Wearing blue can raise awareness of child abuse and start a conversation about how to prevent it, Jones said.