MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- A fun way to draw attention to a serious problem: Pinwheels are being used this month to draw awareness to the tragedy of child abuse.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and according to the Tennessee Children's Advocacy Centers, there were more than 75-hundred confirmed cases of abuse in the state in 2012, the most recent data available.
Kristen Rector with Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee says the trauma of child abuse can last a lifetime.
"Building a brain is like building a foundation. So if trauma and adversity happens while that brain is really forming it can have a long term and lasting impact on that individual. "
Drug exposure and sexual abuse are the most common sources of child abuse in Tennessee.
If you suspect a child is being abused, experts recommend you remain calm, believe the child, allow them to talk and take action. You can report suspected incidences of child abuse by contacting the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.