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On Friday morning, Governor John Hickenlooper, along with Miss Colorado Kelley Johnson and child advocates from across Colorado gathered on the Colorado State Capitol’s West Steps to mark the beginning of Child Abuse Awareness Month. The event was a reminder to all Coloradans of the statewide child abuse and neglect hotline. Attendees—many wearing blue in support of the cause—carried blue pinwheels around the Capitol before planting them in a pinwheel garden next to the steps.
During the event, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) showcased an art installation created by area teens at PlatteForum, a local nonprofit arts organization. The ‘Hero Mirror’ is a double-sided mirror with curtains drawn over it. The viewer can draw back the curtains and see the words running at the top of the mirror: “This is what a hero could look like.” Words along the bottom urge the viewer to call the hotline. Kyra Kaviani (pictured), a senior at East High School, is a survivor of child abuse and one of the creators of the Hero Mirror. She hopes this art installation will draw attention to this painful topic. Instead of feeling sorry for victims of abuse or turning a blind eye, “I hope people will take action, call and be a hero,” Kyra says.
If you know of or suspect child abuse or neglect, call the 24/7 hotline at 1-844-264-5437.
