Advocates plant pinwheel garden for child abuse awareness

April is child abuse prevention month.

Local advocates say local case numbers have gone up over the past year as families struggle at home due to the pandemic.

Today... those advocates planted "pinwheels" to get your attention and get you talking.

Nats: pinwheel in wind these blue and silver pinwheels... spinning in the wind... planted each spring to planted each spring to draw your eyes to a serious issue.

"harsha behavioral center" and the vigo county "prevent child abuse committee" partnered to grow a garden of pinwheels for "child abuse prevention month."

The pinwheels represent lightheartedness and children growing up happy and healthy.

Harsha behavioral center senior director mel kirchner says, "i hope that they think that it is good to check in on kids, the neighbors and to just bring an awareness for child abuse."

Mel kirchner is the senior director at harsha.

It's an acute in-patient hospital caring for patients as young as 3 years old.

"i think the last year has been really rough with dcs and the child abuse cases.

I know the school corporation has struggled as well and so have we.

We've seen an incline in child abuse cases that come in."

Kirchner says there were 2 million child abuse and neglect cases nationwide in 20-19.

She says vigo county ranks among the highest for cases in indiana.

"it is definitely an issue in our community and that's why it's important for people to come forward if they're seeing something."

She -- and other advocates -- hope these pinwheels get you thinking about child abuse prevention and spur conversations.

"ask.

I mean, just flat out ask your child or who you are concerned about because oftentimes children won't come forward themselves so if you're worried about something then make sure you're asking the right questions."

///// you can call the "indiana child abuse and neglect hotline" to report concerns.

That telephone number is 1-800-800-5556.

You'll need information about the circumstances like who was involved... where it happened... and when it happened.

If you fear there's immediate danger... you