Central Florida recognizes National Child Abuse Prevention Month

ORLANDO, Fla. — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

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State and county leaders talked to parents in Orange County on Thursday about preventing child abuse.

Panelists met parents at the Orlando Science Center and answered questions about what they will do to address abuse triggers.

One person asked Mayor Jerry Demings how county officials would prevent school shootings.

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He said the county would fund community prevention and intervention programs for students and those with mental health problems.

The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County also recognizes the national month.

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Pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse prevention.

Florida has a statewide campaign called Pinwheels for Prevention.

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The DOH-Brevard said child abuse could be abandonment, physical or emotional abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation. These can have lasting impacts on the child’s development.

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