FORT RILEY, KAN. -- Soldiers and visitors on Fort Riley might notice blue ribbons and blue balloons displayed throughout the installation during the month of April. National child abuse prevention month is April and Fort Riley is making the message clear. This year the focus is on the safety of children.

The Family Advocacy Program staff is promoting a community-wide Blue- Ribbon Campaign featuring

various activities. On April 2, military police will hand out blue ribbons in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Ogden and Trooper gates.

The blue ribbon is meant to be worn as a symbol of a tragic story about child abuse. It originated in Virginia when a grandmother tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van to raise awareness about her grandson who died because of child abuse.

Carolyn Tolliver-Lee, Family Advocacy Program specialist, Army Community Service, said the most important step in preventing child abuse is recognizing that it can happen to anyone.

"Sadly enough to say, it does occur within the military community," Tolliver-Lee said. "We are not exempt from it."

Another event where the blue ribbon will be prominent is at a pancake feed 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. April 4. There will be a child safety information table and the Garrison Commander's proclamation signing.

"I believe it is a noteworthy campaign and it's done nationally," Tolliver-Lee said. "We all have a focus to raise awareness to prevent child abuse in our community."

Tolliver-Lee said many parents make attempts to discipline their children the way they were disciplined as a child, and many past disciplinary actions are now considered child abuse. She added parents sometimes need support to learn tools to correct their child's unwanted behavior.

She said the family advocacy program is dedicated to prevention, education, investigation and treatment of child abuse. She added prevention education is the easiest way to stop child abuse from happening.

The Family Advocacy Program provides classes that support parents. For example, they offer stress management, divorce and co-parenting as well as scream-free parenting courses. The courses are free and open to the military community, Tolliver-Lee said.

Tolliver-Lee said the community is encouraged to report the suspicion of child abuse. If a child is suspected of being abused, report it to the Fort Riley Police Department by calling 785-239-8477.

For more information about the campaign, call Army Community Service at 785-239-9435.