In 90% percent of child abuse cases, the danger is at home or within the family circle. That's one of the facts the Quad Cities Child Abuse Council wants teach people during prevention month.
This morning at the Moline police station, agency staff, police officers, and city officials planted blue pinwheels to symbolize the safety and freedom all children should enjoy.
Detective John Leach says focusing on "stranger danger" is very misleading.
Last year in Moline, Leach says the police department received 98 reports of child sexual abuse, 52 complaints of physical abuse, 171 cases of neglect, and more than 300 reports of children involved in domestic violence. And most abuse is never reported.
Lindsey Hornbaker, from the Child Abuse Council, says research and personal experience show the best solution is stopping it before it happens.
Pinwheel gardens have already been planted at the Davenport police station and on Arsenal Island.
A Lifesaver Celebration will be held a week from today to raise money for the Child Abuse Council of the Quad Cities.