Pike County sheriff’s office kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month

Chief Damian Gatlin and members of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office leadership team recently joined the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center to officially kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month at Pike National Bank, the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff’s office post said April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and urged residents to raise awareness, support families and protect vulnerable children. “Every child deserves a safe, happy, and healthy childhood,” the post said.

“We love to serve our community and we are always here to make a difference,” Chief Damian Gatlin said, according to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Department. The office used social media hashtags including #ChildAbusePreventionMonth and #PinwheelsForPrevention.

Observed each April, Child Abuse Prevention Month encourages communities nationwide to promote programs and services that prevent abuse and support families. The Pike County Sheriff’s Office said it joined the advocacy center to help spread awareness. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.