Child Abuse Prevention Month recognized in Jefferson County

STEUBENVILLE -- Jefferson County leaders and school children gathered Monday to celebrate National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

About 70 students and a couple of dozen professionals gathered in front of the Jefferson County Courthouse to plant pinwheels and draw attention to the work being done to protect children.

"April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the pinwheels are a national symbol of that," said Amy Lingerfelt, director and advocate at the Caring Place Child Advocacy Center in Wintersville. "They represent what childhood should be -- joyful and carefree. Events like this bring awareness ... people drive by and see the pinwheels, hopefully they say, "Oh, yeah, that's for child abuse awareness'."

After the children planted the pinwheels the professionals--ranging from child protection caseworkers and police officers to the county prosecutor, judges and commissioners--took to the microphone to talk to the kids.

"Kids deserve to be safe," Lingerfelt said, adding it's important for kids to know "their community thinks you guys are so important that you deserve to be safe and did something about it."

Resolutions from Steubenville City Council and the Jefferson County commissioners were read, and Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. talked about "being kind to each other and talking to a 'safe' grownup" (when they're in danger.)" Lingerfelt said county Prosecutor Jane Hanlin and Common Pleas Judge Michelle Miller also spoke with the children, who toured her courtroom.

"Ultimately, I want kids to see the professionals who work with them in scary situations before it gets scary," Lingerfelt said. "I want them to know even if nothing bad ever happens to them, all the grownups will be there for them. I want them to know that they matter and they're safe."

Lingerfelt said the Caring Place "doubled the cases we saw from calendar year 2022 to calendar year 2023."

"I want to be clear in saying I don't think that's because more abuse is happening in Jefferson County, I think it's because of improved relationships among professionals, especially law enforcement and CPS, and reports are being investigated a little more thoroughly. And also, people are more aware of it: At A Caring Place, we've really been pushing awareness the last couple of years -- I'm not sure more reports are coming in, but I think more people are willing to talk about child abuse, and the Jefferson County Multidisciplinary Team is working together better."

Lingerfelt expressed thanks to "all the professionals that came out Monday, and to everyone in Jefferson County who works to keep kids safe."