Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, City Councilor Brian Santaniello, School Committeewoman Rosa Valentin and the City of Springfield, along with representatives from State Senator Adam Gomez and State Senator Jacob Oliveira’s offices, joined with Helix Human Service in raising a flag, and hope, for children, highlighting the need for awareness, prevention, and advocacy in the fight against child abuse.
The flag raising ceremony took place in memory of the young lives lost due to violence, abuse, or neglect on the front steps of City Hall. Raising the flag is the centerpiece of the gathering, but it is the work being done, and still to be done in our community that will be the message.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural ceremony, this year’s event continued 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 7 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 United States.
April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Month. It’s time to highlight the work being done to protect children from abuse and neglect that needs to be done every day of the year.
Mayor Sarno stated, “I would like to thank Helix Human Services CEO Mark Paglia and team for coordinating this ceremony in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month and for their work each day to protect and advocate for our children. This flag honors the memory of every child that was tragically lost to violence, abuse, or neglect and helps to raise public awareness about violence against our children and how important it is to report abuse when you see it or suspect it. We can and must protect our children, families, and communities from these heinous tragedies in order to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
About Helix Human Services: Helix Human Services, formerly The Children’s Study Home, is a 160-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to providing trauma-informed therapeutic and educational services to diverse children and families, building the foundation for lifelong success at home, school, and in the community.
