Police plant pinwheels to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month

Hillcrest High student given 'hero' award

Simpsonville, S.C. — Simpsonville police planted blue pinwheels on City property to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 1.

Officers, command staff and other City officials dispersed shiny pinwheels on the lawns of City Hall and the Simpsonville Police Department as one way to raise awareness about child abuse and the severe need to prevent it from ever happening. Simpsonville Victims Advocate Milena Banquez, who leads the initiative for Simpsonville, said ending child abuse is on all of us.

"The first step in prevention of child abuse is awareness that it is a crime that affects children from all backgrounds," Banquez said. "Coming together as a community to acknowledge the problem of child abuse and keep all children safe from harm is how we ensure prevention is effective and actually utilized as a tool to protect kids. We want to focus on proactive strategies like education through Child Abuse Prevention Month so that we are not simply reactive."

National Child Abuse Prevention Month highlights the need for families and communities to partner in strengthening families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Child Abuse Prevention Month relies on pinwheels for visibility. 

In addition to other police command staff and City officials, Chief Mike Hanshaw and Mayor Paul Shewmaker helped plant the blue pinwheels at City Hall in the morning and later at the police department after a short ceremony organized by Banquez. The blue pinwheels are a tool for getting passersby attention to remind them that child abuse is a serious problem and preventing it can be a collective responsibility if we choose.

Chief Hanshaw said law enforcement officers are on the front lines in the fight to stop child abuse.

"The police play the vital role of investigating child abuse claims and bringing to justice perpetrators who abuse children, and we take that role very seriously," Hanshaw said. "Sadly, law enforcement has to step in after child abuse has happened. Ms. Banquez is on the front lines of fighting child abuse, too but by giving people the knowledge and resources to prevent such a terrible crime from happening in the first place. Both roles are indispensable."

A third important role in creating an environment that does not tolerate child abuse but rather breeds responsible vigilance and servant leadership is that of community member. At the ceremony kicking off Child Abuse Prevention Month, Hillcrest High School junior Yadira Gallegos Moreno was awarded the "Prevention Hero Award" by the Simpsonville Police Department.

Moreno, 16, is a Senior Ambassador and Student Improvement Council member, tutors Hispanic students who range from elementary age to teenagers and graduated twice from the Simpsonville Police Youth Academy. Moreno has also helped organize tobacco cessation classes and a self-Harm awareness program for students who struggle with depression.

Mayor Paul Shewmaker, Victims Advocate Milena Banquez, Police Chief Mike Hanshaw, Hillcrest High School student Yadira Gallegos Moreno and School Resource Officer Morris Madden attended a ceremony on April 1 to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Simpsonville Police Department awarded Moreno the "Prevention Hero Award." | City of Simpsonville

Mayor Shewmaker, who spoke during the ceremony, said the future is in capable hands because of students like Moreno.

"Ms. Moreno truly is a hero because of her servant leadership and dedication to making her community a better place than she found it," Shewmaker said. "By starting programs to help students quit smoking and cope with their depression, Ms. Moreno has done more for her peers at 16 years of age than many adults do in a lifetime. Students like Ms. Moreno make me hopeful for our future."

The ceremony at the police station also featured the Children's Trust of South Carolina, Bikers Against Child Abuse and Bundle of Joy Academy.