By UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Social Workers Association of Tomorrow (SWAT) has taken part in the “Wooden Children” project sponsored by the Garfield County Child Advocacy Center.
The “Wooden Children” project is designed to bring awareness to the number of child abuse cases that are investigated each year. In 2017, 246 confirmed cases of child abuse were reported in Garfield County.
Each wooden figurine is approximately two to three feet high and were cut out by volunteers from Vance Air Force Base. Once the forms were cut out, the Junior Welfare League and other individuals painted on the faces and hair.
Organizations, businesses, groups and individuals were asked to “foster” a wooden child for $25. The group sponsoring the child dressed and displayed them where they chose from March 14-March 30. On March 30 the Wooden Children were taken to the courthouse lawn to be displayed for all of April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“Child abuse is such a silent action and is not majorly discussed that this event gives the opportunity to bring a visual representation of the severity of child abuse in this area,” Jennifer Pribble, assistant professor of social work, said.
“April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the amount of awareness this event is bringing to this community will hopefully assist with future prevention of child abuse.”