On April 4, Mayor Lester Miller joined leaders and staff at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, to plant a pinwheel garden as a visual recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Mayor Lester Miller also presented a proclamation, declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Macon-Bibb County.

“Macon-Bibb is committed to ending the cycle of child abuse and neglect by working together to support the children of our community,” said Mayor Miller.

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.

For more information about services for children, visit childrenshospitalnh.org.