Efforts are once again in the spotlight to put an end to child abuse in Henry County.

  A number of local groups have banded together for this year’s Pinwheels for Prevention project. The child-abuse prevention endeavor, which has been ongoing in Henry County for more than 15 years, is continuing the local effort through the month of April.

  Robin Jones is the executive director for Prevent Child Abuse Henry County. She said Pinwheels for Prevention helps people know how and where to report child abuse locally.

  “The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention,” said Jones. “It’s to bring awareness to the community to find ways to help prevent child abuse, become involved in community groups and help protect our children.”

  She acknowledged that the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in fewer pinwheels being visible for the endeavor. However, she said area residents can still help to spread the word about child-abuse prevention in other ways.

  “We’re encouraging people to just be creative – if they do have pinwheels, to create pinwheel gardens or any kind of display,” said Jones. “They can also draw, color, or paint pinwheels. If they do any of these things, we’re encouraging them to post them at #painthenryblue2020.”

  Jones said the coronavirus has heightened stress and anxiety levels for children and families, and resulted in more cases of domestic violence. She said since young people learn about the coronavirus from the news, social media and conversations with adults, the coronavirus is “hitting home for everyone.”

  As such, she said, Pinwheels for Prevention helps to bring parents together and helps them to deal with stress amid the pandemic.

  “It’s important during this time that we all remember to help each other, be kind to one another and remember that we’re all in this together,” said Jones.

  Prevent Child Abuse Henry County and A Friend’s House – a shelter for abused, neglected and abandoned children in Henry County – have teamed up with numerous community partners for this year’s Pinwheels for Prevention project. They include local schools and libraries, as well as Haven House, Southern Crescent Sexual Assault Center, Connecting Henry, the Department of Family and Children Services, Henry County Juvenile Court, and municipal governments in Henry County.

  Jones said prevention efforts are constantly in place at the state level as well.

  “Prevent Child Abuse Georgia’s 1-800-CHILDREN,” said Jones. “At that number, they continue to give caregivers and professionals support, resources and referrals. At a local level, they are welcome to e-mail me at robin@pre ventchildabusehc.org.

  A Friend’s House Executive Director Sandra Gravely said more than 50 pinwheels are visible there to educate the public about child-abuse prevention. She said her facility has a long history of helping abused children, with some of them now doing their part to curb the violence.

  “In the 21 years I’ve been here at A Friend’s House, we’ve serviced some 2,100 children who have been survivors of abuse, abandonment or neglect,” said Gravely. “Because we service youths who are survivors of abuse, [Pinwheels for Prevention] actually helps them because they made efforts to put pinwheels out.”

  Gravely said discussions at the shelter regarding Pinwheels for Prevention have helped young people to understand more fully about different forms of child abuse.

  “It’s personal to them,” she said. “They want the community to recognize it. Our youths have actually become advocates themselves. We have a lot of teens here, so they understand the meaning behind the pinwheels.”

  A Friend’s House was forced to cancel a planned Pinwheels for Prevention event due to the coronavirus. Gravely is hopeful those affected by abuse will have another opportunity to share their stories in the near future.