Atrium Health Navicent Crescent House, a service of Atrium Health Levine Children’s
Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital, joined with community partners Tuesday to plant a pinwheel garden as a visual
recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The pinwheels, planted at the corner of Spring and Pine streets in front of
Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, will remain on display throughout the month of April.
“Children are our most valuable resource, and they also are our most vulnerable,” said Crescent House Director
Kemberlie Sanderson. “All children have a right to be safe and an opportunity to grow up in an environment that fosters
healthy development. That’s why it’s so important that we call attention to child abuse this month and learn how we can
work together to recognize and prevent child abuse in central Georgia.”
Georgia ranks 38th in the United States for child well-being, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Nationally, an estimated 1 in 4 girls, and 1 in 13 boys have experienced child abuse.
The Crescent House is central Georgia’s children's advocacy center, specializing in providing services to children who
have been physically and/or sexually abused. Using state-of-the-art equipment, a multidisciplinary team that includes a
nurse practitioner, forensic pediatrician, forensic interviewers, a victim advocate and a child life specialist provide care for
children who have suffered abuse and/or neglect.
Crescent House recently expanded its therapy offerings thanks to generous donations received from the community.
Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital has also increased the number of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners on staff in
the hospital’s 24/7 pediatric emergency room. These nurses are specially trained to work with children who have been
sexually abused, and their availability prevents children from having to be seen in an adult emergency room to receive the
same services.
“As the only facility to provide around-the-clock support for children in central and south Georgia, Beverly Knight Olson
Children’s Hospital stands ready to help with a staff and facility tailored specifically to provide health care for children,
whatever their need may be,” said Diana Sutton, chief nursing officer for Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital.
For more information about services for children, visit https://childrenshospitalnh.org.