LEE COUNTY, FL – The City Council of the City of Fort Myers has officially proclaimed April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, reinforcing its commitment to protecting children and supporting families across our community.

This annual observance, championed locally by the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida (CAC SWFL), highlights the urgent need to prevent child abuse and neglect. As a trusted nonprofit serving Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties, CAC SWFL provides a comprehensive range of services to child victims of abuse, including forensic interviews, medical exams, counseling, family advocacy, and prevention education.

“Child abuse is a public health crisis that affects one in five children before the age of eighteen,” said Alicia Shannon, CEO of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida. “The trauma children face can last a lifetime if not properly addressed. That’s why our coordinated response—together with law enforcement, the Department of Children and Families, the State Attorney’s Office, and community-based providers—is so critical to helping children heal and thrive.”

The proclamation recognizes the lasting impact of child abuse and calls on all residents to take action. Every member of the community—individuals, families, businesses, schools, and civic organizations—can help create safe, stable, and nurturing environments that foster a child’s well-being and development.

Throughout the month of April, CAC SWFL will host community events, educational workshops, and awareness campaigns to inspire engagement and prevention efforts. Blue pinwheels, the national symbol of child abuse prevention, will be displayed across the county as a visual reminder of every child’s right to a safe childhood.

“We all have a role in protecting children,” the proclamation reads. “Child Abuse Prevention Month serves as an important reminder of our shared responsibility to raise awareness and prevent child abuse and neglect in Lee County and beyond.”

To learn more about Child Abuse Prevention Month or how to get involved, visit www.cac-swfl.org or follow the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida on social media.