The Athens County Children Service's lawn on East State Street is adorned with 636 colorful pinwheels, each twirling decoration representing a reported child abuse or neglect case in Athens County in 2003.
The Pinwheels for Prevention program, sponsored by nonprofit organization Prevent Child Abuse Ohio, serves to encourage people to report causes of child abuse, said Andy Ellinger, a spokesman for the Athens County Children Services.
The pinwheels symbolize the simple, happier times and the childhood everybody hopes to have
said Scott Ferris, director of the Athens County Children Services.
About 600 cases of abuse and neglect were reported in Athens County in 2003. Ohio is ranked ninth nationally, with more than 95,000 reported cases of child abuse and neglect in 2003, said Susan Ware, state coordinator for Prevent Child Abuse Ohio.
One in four females and one in six males in Ohio will be sexually abused before the age of 18, and a child is abused or neglected about every 20 minutes, she said.
The severity of childhood abuse cases in Athens County has increased, and more cases are being reported, Ellinger said.
The increasing number of cases could be positive or negative -Ware said she hopes this is because citizens are more educated about child abuse and are reporting more cases, instead of an increase in the actual number of cases.
The whole point of education is to break the cycle of violence Ware said.
Hard economic times, poverty and social isolation are the main causes of child abuse because many impoverished parents lack a support system, Ware said. The three types of abuse are sexual, physical and emotional, while neglect is classified as physical, emotional or educational maltreatment.
However, substance abusers of all income levels are more likely to abuse their children, Ellinger said.
Neglect victims usually come from poor families because they lack the means to support children.
We know that when levels of stress increase the chances of child abuse and neglect increase
Ware said.
The long-term effects of child abuse and neglect are substantial.
About 30 percent of child abuse victims are more likely to be arrested for violent crimes, and about 50 percent will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Child abuse victims are six times more likely to abuse their own children as parents, as well as have a variety of health problems, such as cancer and increased risks of a stroke, Ware said.
Athens County Children Services works to protect each child, Ferris said. In conjunction with the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, low-income families can receive help with utility bills, social security, purchasing houses and securing jobs.
They also refer parents and children affected by poverty, substance abuse, and child abuse and neglect to community services for assistance.
Athens is one of 13 counties in Ohio participating in the pinwheel program, Ferris said. April is National Child Abuse and Prevention month.
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Pinwheels for Prevention, set up by the Athens County Children Services, can be seen outside their offices on East State Street. The 636 pinwheels each represent a reported case of child abuse in Athens County in 2003.
