Child Abuse Prevention Rally Held In Lansing

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A rally was held in Lansing Thursday to mark Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day. Children’s Trust Fun Director Suzanne Greenberg tells WSJM News hundreds gathered and planted blue and silver pinwheels near the Michigan Capitol. Greenberg says there are a lot of children around Michigan who need protection.

“The number was definitely over 30,000 that happened last year, and that’s substantiated cases of abuse and neglect, and so that means upwards of three times more than that were reported,” Greenberg said.

Greenberg tells us child abuse isn’t always just violence. Sometimes, it’s neglect. She says helping the child’s family is the best solution in those cases.

“It’s really the issue of neglect is something that we really can step in and help with services,” Greenberg said. “Once a report is made, then the Department of Health and Human Services can step in and offer services to that family to help them.”

Greenberg tells us Governor Gretchen Whitmer made a proclamation to mark the day, and Senator Debbie Stabenow was on hand for the rally. So was state Representative Mary Whiteford of the South Haven area. You can find out more about how you can help at Michigan.gov/CTF.