Video courtesy of WCNC

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is proudly a part of the Mecklenburg Child Abuse Prevention Team.

The Mecklenburg Child Abuse Prevention Team is a group of child-serving organizations and individuals who have joined forces to help build public awareness around the issue of child abuse awareness and prevention. 

As we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month, we "painted the town blue" in Uptown Charlotte to support all children's happiness, safety, and well-being. Officials and community leaders walked down to the courthouse with pinwheels to spark conversation about abuse and plant a brighter vision for the community protecting all children. 

The Mecklenburg Child Abuse Prevention Team believes:

• All children deserve great childhoods.
• We all have a role to play in making sure our community is a place where children and families are able to thrive.
• Preventing child abuse and neglect means helping parents have the knowledge, skills, resources, and support they need to provide the safe, stable, and nurturing environments all children need.

By law, any person in North Carolina who has cause to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected is obligated to report the abuse.
Mecklenburg County 24-hour hotline to report abuse/neglect:
980-31-HELPS (43577)