Commemorating Child Abuse Awareness Month

On April 21, 2022, the Greater Waterbury Child Advocacy Center (CAC) planted 100 pinwheels at their headquarters at Waterbury Youth Services to raise awareness that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and to remind residents that services are available for victims.

“The pinwheel is a national symbol of childhood,” says CAC Director Stacey Rubinfeld. “Each year, we review approximately 100 cases of alleged child abuse so we planted 100 pinwheels to honor each one. Every child deserves a great childhood. Unfortunately, they are sometimes exposed to extreme trauma like child abuse and neglect. Our goal is to support the healthy development of these children and to ensure they are not further victimized by the interventions and systems designed to protect them.”

The CAC team protects children in the Greater Waterbury area by responding to allegations of child sexual abuse, child physical abuse and serious neglect, as well as domestic minor sex trafficking. The CAC draws its strength from the combined knowledge of multiple disciplines brought by team members working co-operatively. Partners include: the states attorney’s office (both Adult and Juvenile), the Dept. of Children and Families, local police departments and State Troop A, trained medical personnel, mental health professionals, victim advocates from Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury and court-appointed by the Office of Victim Services, the Office of Juvenile and Adult Probation and Love 146.

If you have concerns or suspicions that a child is being abused, please call the Department of Children and Families hotline 1-800-842-2288 or your local police department.

The Greater Waterbury CAC is accredited as a Children’s Advocacy Center by the National Children’s Alliance. All forensic interviews and medical examinations are conducted free of charge.

To donate to the Waterbury CAC contact Stacey Rubinfeld srubinfeld@waterburyyouthservices.org or directly on our website.