The City Attorney's Office Victim Services Program hosts an annual Children's Flower Garden Event in partnership with the Casa Grande Elementary School District.
The flower garden is planted every year to remember children who have been victims of abuse. Gardening is a great physical activity and an incredible way to teach children the importance of caring for living things. It can also help children express their feelings in a way they might not otherwise and is a great way to acknowledge the important work they are doing to help children who have been victimized.
Each year, more than 550,000 children are abused in the U.S., according to the National Children’s Alliance. U.S. Child welfare authorities look into the safety of more than 7.5 million kids annually. Of those, around 3 million children receive an investigation or alternative response from child protective services agencies. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys are estimated to experience child abuse. The youngest children are the most vulnerable. In 44.4% of fatalities, the child is less than one year of age. Children in the first year of their life are 15% of all victims. More than a quarter (27%) of child victims of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect are no more than 2 years old (National Children’s Alliance). Nationally, neglect is the most common form of abuse. Three-fourths (74%) of victims are neglected, 17% are physically abused, 11% are sexually abused, and 0.2% are sex trafficked. The trauma of child abuse, if left untreated, can lead to infections, injuries, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Providing abuse prevention education to children, families, and the community is key to keeping our kids safe and free from abuse and violence.