ST. GEORGE —Pinwheels for Prevention is a national campaign held every spring to bring awareness to child abuse prevention. The focus is to spread awareness throughout communities across the nation, helping ensure each child has the opportunity to live out a safe, stable, and nurturing childhood by putting prevention first.
When we prioritize prevention, we lay a healthy foundation that promotes growth and development with the underlying prevention message to ensure child abuse and neglect never occur in the first place. The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign is symbolized with the pinwheel, which represents the carefree and happy childhood that every kid deserves.
Washington County is home to approximately 44,000 children under 18 years of age. According to statistics presented by Prevent Child Abuse Utah, one in five children either have been or will become the victim of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday.
During the months of March and April, the St. George Children’s Museum will have 500 pinwheels on display in the museum entrance; each pinwheel represents 18 of these children at risk of abuse.
“The Children’s Museum has always been a safe place for kids and families, and we know we are stronger when we stand together. Although this is a scary statistic and a difficult conversation to have with young children, we feel strongly that by facing the problem head on, we will be doing so much for these youngest and most vulnerable members of our community,” said Anita Wotkyns, director of the St. George Children’s Museum.
The museum invites everyone to Take the Pledge to keep kids safe. Take the free online parent course at and show your completion certificate to receive 20 percent off your next visit for a family of five and a chance to be entered to win tickets to Tuacahn!
We all play a role in keeping kids safe. The most effective ways to prevent child abuse is for individuals and communities to know the signs of abuse and neglect and where to go for help.
For more information, please contact the Washington County Children’s Justice Center at 435-634-1134 or online.