Blue ribbons hang from the branches of a tree outside of the Oregon State Capitol, representing victims of child abuse or neglect in Oregon on Thursday, April 1, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Marion County is kicking off Child Abuse Prevention Month with a car parade Friday that will start at the Willamette Heritage Center and go past the Capitol.
The parade aims to bring awareness to child abuse, with 1,238 reported victims in Marion County in 2019.
Last year, Salem Reporter reported on Salem’s child abuse assessment continuing to see a high case load despite calls to the child abuse hotline declining at the start of the stay-home orders.
Groups involved in the parade include Marion County Community Services, City of Salem, Boys and Girls Club, CASA of Marion County, Family Building Blocks, Salem Keizer School District, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Liberty House, Blue Ribbon Brigade, Marion County Health and Human Services, Options Counseling, ODHS, Catholic Community Services, Exchange Club, HOME Youth & Resource Center, and Early Learning Hub.
Parade participants are asked to meet at the Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. S.E., at 7:15 a.m.
At 8:15 a.m. cars will line up to drive past the Capitol, where a tree is decorated in blue ribbons to represent each victim of child abuse.
-Saphara Harrell
