UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Pollock Halls Resident Association planted pinwheels outside of Pollock Commons on April 6 to raise awareness of child abuse during Child Abuse Prevention Month. Each pinwheel represents a child assisted at one of more than 800 Children’s Advocacy Centers nationwide.

Pollock Halls Resident Association members were on hand with informational material, pins, and other ways residents can get involved.

Nina Sampogne has been raising community awareness for abused children for most of her life. A friend moved unexpectedly in second grade without saying goodbye, and Sampogne, now a first-year student at Penn State, was devastated to learn that her friend was in an abusive situation and that children her age were victimized. She has been advocating for abused children ever since.

Working closely with her local Children’s Advocacy Center in Lackawanna County, Sampogne helped to raise donations and awareness of the center’s mission. She chose the cause as her platform while serving as the International United Miss Pennsylvania Teen and has dedicated thousands of hours of service.

Her passion to advocate for children has continued to grow since arriving at Penn State. Sampogne, a biology major and Bunton-Waller Women in Science scholar, was elected as vice president of the Pollock Halls Resident Association, and saw an opportunity to continue her mission.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the number of reported child abuse cases has increased, as often children were forced to spend more time in harmful environments. Sampogne hopes that a visual reminder highlights the often hidden plight of child abuse.

“It’s vital for our communities to be educated on child abuse and to be aware that this is happening,” Sampogne said. “Through awareness we as a community can become advocates for these children and work towards stopping and preventing the ugly epidemic that is child abuse.”

Centre County is home to a dedicated Children’s Advocacy Center within the Mount Nittany Health system, providing medical assessments, forensic interviews, and support, with a safe, child-focused approach. The center is one of over 800 nationwide.