Ribbons on cars for child abuse prevention

There’s a powerful message behind the blue ribbons that are now tied on to police cars in Gulfport.

They stand for protecting the rights of children who have been abused. In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, a group with the South Mississippi Child Advocacy Center tied 25 blue ribbons to Gulfport police vehicles.

The child advocacy center in Harrison County has connected 938 forensic interviews regarding local child abuse cases since 2015. South Mississippi Child Advocacy Center Program Director Krystle Hilliard said, “The victims will know that they have an outlet, they have someone they can talk to and talk about different things that have happened to them. So, we’re here just trying to spread awareness of child abuse and show that we here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast stand against child abuse together.”

According to the U.S. Administration for Children and Families, an estimated 1,670 children died from abuse and neglect in the U.S. in 2015. To make a child abuse report call 1-800-222-8000.