April is recognized nationwide as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and organizations across southeast Iowa are working to raise awareness and support families.
Quad County Community Partnerships for Protecting Children is leading local efforts, with coordinator Arin Jones emphasizing both education and community involvement.
During a recent presentation to the Henry County Board of Supervisors, supervisors signed a proclamation officially declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Henry County.
Jones shared data from 2025, reporting 123 confirmed cases of child abuse in Henry County. About half of those cases involved denial of critical care—often tied to financial stress and challenges facing families. There were also 6 cases of physical abuse, 5 cases of sexual abuse, and a small number involving exposure to substances.
Jones noted that sexual abuse is widely underreported and appears to be increasing locally. She also emphasized that abuse often involves someone the child knows and trusts, and in most cases, perpetrators may also be underage, something many adults and caregivers don’t realize.
April 13th through the 17th marks the National Week of Action, when organizations will spotlight strategies, everyday actions, and policy solutions that help children and families thrive.
Locally, the focus remains on prevention—raising awareness, educating parents and community members, and creating safer environments for children. Jones shared, every one dollar spent on prevention, saves three dollars in treatment of overcoming abuse.
Community members are encouraged to show support by wearing blue throughout the month. Blue symbolizes possibility, strength, and the future every child deserves. You may also see the blue and silver pinwheels across the county as a reminder that when communities work together, we can prevent child abuse.
Advocates say prevention starts with simple but powerful ideas: investing in families early leads to safer, healthier children; strong families build stronger communities; and protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.
For those involved in the effort, the message is clear—every child deserves the best a community can give.
