Athens County Children Services P.O. Box 1046 Athens, Ohio 45701 Ph : (740)592-3061 Fax: (740)593-3880

The 835 colorful pinwheels that dot the East State Street lawn in front of the Athens County Children Services sign

will be displayed throughout the month of April. The pinwheels were planted by Athens County Children Services and Prevent Child Abuse Ohio Tuesday as part of the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, designed to bring attention to child abuse and neglect in Athens County.

Each pinwheel represents one of the 835 cases of child abuse or neglect in Athens County that was reported to children services in 2005.

“Many people are unaware of how widespread the problem of child abuse is in their own local community,” said Andrea Reik, Executive Director, Athens County Children Services. “Pinwheels for Prevention is designed to show the public in a very dramatic way child abuse and neglect happen in every community and encourage them to focus on prevention as part of an overall plan to break the cycle of abuse.”

Athens is one of 40 counties throughout the state of Ohio planting colorful children’s pinwheels in front of courthouses, playgrounds, libraries and parks. In 2005, there were more than 95,000 reports of child abuse and neglect in the state of Ohio.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call 740-592-3061, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For emergencies or after hours, call 1-877-477-0772. Children services is required to keep the referral source’s identity confidential.