April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

A number of Downtown and Central PA regional entities, including the Harrisburg Hilton, Kamionka Entertainment Groups’s five restaurants, residences and establishments along State Street, the PA Turnpike headquarters, the State Capitol, the Market Street and Walnut Street bridges, and schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, shone blue lights in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. PFSA’s messaging, “Learn How to “ProtectPAKids,” can be seen on more than 130 billboards across the state, thanks to additional support from the Outdoor Advertising Association of Pennsylvania.

Going Blue to #Protectpakids

On April 4, 2018, the State Street Corridor and the State Capitol featured 4,416 blue ribbons flags as a tribute to each child victim of abuse in Pennsylvania in one year and there was a special memorial of 46 black ribbons, one for each child PA lost to abuse in 2016 – the last year for which we have statewide statistics. During the Awards Ceremony, children presented 46 pairs of children’s shoes and baby booties to symbolize that violence had cut short their path to adulthood.

PFSA board and staff members, sponsors, community volunteers, and celebrity guests, among them, Miss Pennsylvania 2017 Katie Schreckengast, several of the 2015 Red Land Little League U.S. World Series Champions, and Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick – planted the flags.

Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids

Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance and its sponsors, led by PSECU and the Outdoor Advertising Association of Pennsylvania, presented 2018 PA Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards on April 4 to five Pennsylvanians for their efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect. The Wolf administration designated April 4 #WearBlueDay in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to honor all victims of child abuse and to encourage everyone to help keep kids safe.

Painting for Prevention

In communities all over Pennsylvania, Painting for Prevention brings affiliates, advocates, families and artists together for a day to create beautiful, lasting tributes to children, family life and the places we know as home. Each mural has its own character and message. They serve as “ambassadors” delivering the message that child abuse can be prevented, throughout the year.

View mural gallery