City of Springfield, Helix Human Services to Highlight Fight Against Child Abuse

SPRINGFIELD — In partnership with Mayor Domenic Sarno and the city of Springfield, Helix Human Services is raising a flag — and hope — for children, highlighting the need for awareness, prevention, and advocacy in the fight against child abuse.

On Thursday, April 9 at 10:30 a.m., a flag-raising ceremony will be held at Springfield City Hall, located at 36 Court St. Raising the flag is the centerpiece of the gathering, but the work being done, and still to be done, in the community will be the main message.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural ceremony, this year’s event will continue to educate the community on recognizing the signs of abuse and neglect, while also showing the collaborative efforts of organizations committed to the safety and well-being of children.

An estimated 532,228 children (unique incidents) were victims of abuse and neglect in the U.S. in 2024, the most recent year for which national data is available. That’s seven children out of every thousand, or nearly one in a hundred. In 2023, about 5.39 children died each day from abuse and neglect in the U.S.

April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to highlight the work being done to protect children from abuse and neglect every day of the year.