P-J photo by Sara Holthouse Members in attendance at the kickoff ceremony for Child Abuse Prevention Month plant pinwheels in the plaza outside the city’s municipal building.

A blast of blue pinwheels outside Jamestown High School and Tracy Plaza mark the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The kickoff ceremony of Child Abuse Prevention Month was held Monday afternoon in the city as city officials and high school students gathered to plant pinwheels in front of both the municipal building and the high school.

Mayor Kim Ecklund began the event at the municipal building by thanking everyone for coming and reading a proclamation. Jason Schmidt, county district attorney,then spoke to those in attendance.

“Children are the most vulnerable group and need the most protection,” Schmidt said. “If you see something, say something. We can’t get involved if we don’t know about it.”

Schmidt said what he called “one dirty secret” is that child abuse happens within the home 98% of the time. He added that it can take everything for someone to stand up to a loved one and tell someone that the abuse is happening, and while they might not say something there are a few telltale signs such as changing the way they dress or how they eat.

Additionally, Schmidt said he had had his own view of abuse as it could not happen to him or his family or someone who looks like they are very strong and sure of themselves. He said that he has had people come in to court that he thought could not be victims of child abuse that were.

“This could happen to anyone,” Schmidt said. “Everyone is together in this. There’s only so much we can do, but together as a group if we speak up we can help prevent child abuse.”

Carmelo Hernandez from the Department of Mental Hygiene said that he is glad that April is Child Abuse Month, but added that it should be all year. He gave examples of his own childhood and his time in Iraq, saying that it takes a village and the help of the youth to prevent child abuse.

“Each one of you is worth it,” Hernandez said. “If you see something, say something. You have cheerleaders behind you wanting to see you succeed.”

Safe Harbour Coordinator Saraden Randall discussed child trafficking and that the event was kicking off April as Child Abuse Prevention Month a little bit early because of the upcoming spring break and to have the pinwheels planted around before visitors come for the eclipse on April 8. She also discussed how communities can play large roles in preventing child abuse and helping parents learn and feel that they are supported.

“These are all preventative factors to ensure that children have safe environments,” Randall said. “Prevention is key in reducing child abuse. As we plant these pinwheels today we are planting seeds of hope.”

Two students from Jamestown Public Schools also addressed the crowd as a part of their Justice For All class, discussing how children are not the only ones that need support, but parents as well. The crowd then went together to plant their pinwheels in the plaza outside the municipal building, followed by walking as a group down to Jamestown High School to plant them outside on the front lawn.