INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Child Services, in collaboration with The Villages, honored the start of Child Abuse Prevention Month with a virtual event featuring Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb, DCS Director Terry Stigdon, The Villages CEO/President Shannon Schumacher and more.

“Our partners, providers, hospitals and schools – along with each of you – play such a vital role in keeping children safe, healthy and happy,” Gov. Holcomb stated.

Indiana is a mandatory reporting state, which means anyone who suspects a child has been neglected or abused must – by state law – make a report.

“Wearing blue or carrying and planting pinwheels and posting them on social media will raise awareness, but in and of themselves won’t stop harm from happening to children,” Stigdon said. “We stop it by taking action.”

“Child abuse is preventable,” Schumacher agreed, “but it takes actions at many levels.”

For more information and resources on preventing child abuse and neglect, click here.

Photos and video clips from the state kickoff can be found here.

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About Indiana DCS: The Indiana Department of Child Services engages with families and collaborates with state, local and community partners to protect children from abuse and neglect and to provide child support services. Indiana Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline: 800.800.5556. Child Support Customer Service Kidsline: 800.840.8757 or 317.233.5437. www.in.gov/dcs