The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance marked the beginning of National Child Abuse Awareness Month on Wednesday.

The alliance planted thousands of flags on State Street in Harrisburg. They symbolize the number of substantiated child abuse cases in the state in the past year.

According to the Department of Child Protective Services, there were more than 4,000 cases of child abuse in 2024.

“Most people have no idea the scope of child abuse in Pennsylvania, so when you see the blue flags, you suddenly realize this is a large problem, and it gets people involved, and it gets people talking about the issue,” said Angela Liddle, the alliance’s president and CEO.

The blue ribbons will remain in the Capitol until the end of the month. If you believe a child is unsafe, call the state child line at 800-932-0313.

From ABC27, April 1, 2026