Thurston to “go blue,” proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention.

In the Tuesday BOCC meeting, Maternal and Child Health Manager Gretchen Thaller discussed the current situation of child abuse and neglect in the county, saying that “many children in the County have or are at risk of experiencing abuse.”

“Child abuse is considered a significant public health concern, impacting the health and well-being of our children, families, and community,” Thaller said, joining the meeting virtually.

Thaller explained that the pandemic affected the state of child abuse in the county, stating that cases may have increased and they may be underreported.

“We know that families have been under tremendous stress during the pandemic,” Thaller said. “We believe that child abuse was underreported in the early days of the pandemic when we were all in lockdown… and we suspect that the rate may have increased.”

Thaller said their group is in ongoing talks with partner organizations in preventing child abuse. They also plan to expand the child abuse task force to add more local pediatricians and active members of the community.

She also urged other committees in the county to help raise awareness, highlighting that lowering the tolerance of child abuse would need a community effort.

The BOCC encouraged the public to wear blue, this Friday, April 1, dubbing it “Go Blue Day,” to build awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention and inspire change by focusing on community activities and public policies that prioritize prevention.

Thaller said they would also put blue pinwheels throughout the community to draw attention to the national child abuse prevention efforts.

Nineteen percent of adults in the county have experienced physical child abuse before turning 18, and 39% of county adults experienced psychological abuse during childhood, said Thaller.