Albemarle Supervisors recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention month

If you’re visiting any of Albemarle County’s public buildings this month, you may notice blue pinwheels planted in the ground. They were put there on April 1 by employees to mark National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“Child abuse and neglect remain serious public health and social concerns affecting children and families across our region and prevention and early intervention efforts, including education, family support, and community engagement, help strengthen protective factors for children and caregivers,” said Rivanna District Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley, reading from a proclamation recognizing the month.

There are many partners in the effort to stop children from being abused with the proclamation mentioning the Foothills Child Advocacy Center, Ready Kids, the Sexual Assault Resource Agency, and the Region Ten Community Services Board.

The proclamation was accepted by Briana Valentino, the program director for the Foothills Child Advocacy Center.

“Nationally, about one in seven children experience abuse or neglect each year,” Valentino said.” Many cases do go unported, which means that the true number is likely even higher. In Albemarle County, there were over 1,800 reports of suspected child abuse neglect in 2025, which resulted in hundreds of those reports requiring further investigation and intervention.”

Valentino said children with disabilities and youth who identify as LGBTQ are at higher risk. She called on adults to create environments where those who are being abused feel safe enough to report.

“When a child discloses abuse, our responses matter deeply,” Valentino said. “We must be the adults who listen without judgment, who respond with care, and most importantly, who believe them. When children trust they will be believed, they are more likely to come forward, and that can be the first step towards safety and healing.”

For more information on child protective services in Albemarle County, visit the local government website.

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