Volunteers moved methodically on a gray April evening, pressing thin metal stems into the soil near the large Murray mural’s flower bed at the corner of 5300 South and State Street. One by one, blue pinwheels began to turn in the wind—468 in total—each representing a reported case of abuse in Murray.

The display marked the start of Child Abuse Prevention Month, an annual observance intended to draw attention to abuse and the systems designed to respond to it. The effort was organized by the Murray Exchange Club in partnership with the Murray Area Chamber of Commerce, with support from Murray City and the Murray School District.

Approximately 45 volunteers attended the installation, forming small groups that spaced the pinwheels evenly across the flower bed and surrounding grass. Traffic moved noisily nearby as drivers slowed, some turning their heads toward the growing field of blue.

At the center of the event was Alissa Black, a victim advocate with the Murray City Police Department who has served in the role for more than 15 years. Black’s work includes assisting victims with court accompaniment, connecting individuals to counseling resources, and coordinating protective services.

“The number is not abstract,” Black said of the 468 pinwheels. “Each one represents a case—domestic abuse, child abuse or another form of violence reported here in Murray.”

According to Black, victim advocates in Murray provided personal advocacy services to more than 1,900 victims of crime in 2018. Domestic violence cases accounted for approximately 55% of that caseload. In many of those cases, she said, children were present when police responded.

“The long-term effects of domestic violence can be catastrophic without appropriate aid and attention,” Black said.

Advocates in the program serve both primary and secondary victims of violent crime, offering assistance that can extend beyond immediate crisis response. Without the program, Black said, many victims would have limited access to resources or guidance through legal and recovery processes.

For those seeking assistance, Black said her office can be reached at 801-284-4201 or 801-284-4203.

Black also pointed to broader trends. In Utah, she said, approximately one in seven individuals experience sexual abuse, compared to one in nine nationally. Some cases, she added, are not reported until decades later.

“Disclosure can take years,” she said. “Sometimes 30 years or more.”

Also present at the event was Deondra Brown, a pianist known for performing with The 5 Browns. Brown, who has spoken publicly about her own experience as a survivor of sexual abuse, addressed volunteers gathered at the display.

“Each one of us can make sure abuse victims are cared for and can find trust,” Brown said. “By planting the pinwheels, we are saying we are going to prevent child abuse. Kids should not feel that they are on their own.”

The pinwheel has become a national symbol of child abuse prevention, often used in April to represent both awareness and the idea of a safe, supported childhood. In Murray, organizers said the decision to install 468 pinwheels was intended to ground that symbolism in local data.

For Black and others involved, the display serves both as recognition of reported cases and as a call for continued vigilance.

“Awareness is one step,” Black said. “What matters is what comes after—how a community responds.”

In Utah, the statewide 24-hour LINKLine, operated by the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, connects individuals to confidential support, including shelter, counseling, transportation and advocacy services. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-897-5465 and operates around the clock. 

For those who suspect child abuse or neglect, the Utah Division of Child and Family Services maintains a 24-hour intake line at 1-855-323-3237, where reports can be made and assistance initiated.