GREENFIELD — Recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, city and state officials gathered at the Greenfield Common Friday morning to raise awareness of child harm, abuse and neglect.

“Working together to prevent child abuse, as well as to show our commitment to the well-being of children, is what we’re here for,” Northwestern District Attorney’s Office Director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Projects Katie Rosewarne said. “The goal is not only to raise awareness, but to also create a world where all children are given the chance to grow up in an environment free from abuse and neglect, with opportunities to thrive.”

Each year, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and the North Quabbin, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office and the city of Greenfield partner for a flag-raising event to recognize the importance of the community and public safety agencies’ roles in preventing child abuse.

Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan echoed Rosewarne’s remarks, adding words of commendation for the Children’s Advocacy Center. Sullivan noted that over the last few years, the organization has worked to not only protect kids from abuse, but help them mentally and emotionally recover from it.

“Whether it’s one parent or two parents or a grandparent, we need parents to make sure that we change the trajectory of child abuse and child neglect,” Sullivan said. “I just want to call out what really has transformed the Children’s Advocacy Center over the last five years — our state legislators who fought for funding to make sure that we could help kids with their medical needs and with their emotional needs. … We’ve been able to provide that therapy so it’s not just keeping kids safe, it’s helping them heal.”

Reading a proclamation to recognize April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Mayor Ginny Desorgher spoke briefly before the Greenfield Police Honor Guard raised the flag depicting the silhouettes of six children holding hands — symbolic of the one in six children who have experienced child abuse in the U.S.

“The youth of our community represent our brightest future, and as such, deserve to grow in a nurturing and supportive environment. ... Every child in the world deserves to be treated with respect, integrity and compassion,” Desorgher said. “Child abuse remains a pervasive issue that requires our collective effort through outreach and resources to address.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com.