April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, an observance where people across the country come together to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention.
Fort Bend County is not immune from this nationwide issue.
“We would like to make others aware of abuse and provide resources so they can learn how to break the cycle of abuse, as well as provide the education to prevent it,” said Detective Lesley Vaught of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Unit.
To forward that effort, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is holding a free family event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at Homestead Park. The park is located at 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle in Richmond (near the Fort Bend County Justice Center off of Williams Way Boulevard).
The Pinwheel Project is an observance of Child Abuse Awareness Month.
The day in the park will feature entirely free game booths, prizes, face-painting, inflatable bounce castles and slides, food, drinks, snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn, bike raffles and plenty more.
“We have had wonderful turnouts in our first two years,” Vaught said. “Everyone, children and adults alike, had a great time. We had excellent participation from law enforcement agencies as well as organizations throughout the county.”
In 2015, Fort Bend County saw an 11 percent increase in child abuse investigations.
“By raising awareness of child abuse prevention methods, we are hoping to change this trend and make Fort Bend County a safer place for our kids,” Vaught said.
Sponsors for the event include Consolidated Home Health, Pepsi Beverages Company, Safari Texas Ranch, All Star Storage, Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Fort Bend County Child Welfare Board, Sprint Landfill, Velocity Mixing, Elite Storage and Off Duty Services.
