DURHAM -- Many people are wearing blue today and displaying blue pinwheels in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

National numbers show that nearly 700,000 children suffer abuse each year in the U.S.

The pinwheels symbolize and honor the victims.

The Department of Social Services wants people to be aware that people are required to report child abuse.

Abuse can include neglect, mental or physical harm or death.

"I think abuse, sometimes it is generational. People discipline their children because that's the way they were disciplined,” said Michelle Wolff with Durham County Child Protective Services. “There could be mental health issues at play, substance use. We're seeing a huge spike of that in our community."

Durham County DSS has other events planned this month including a seminar at PNC Arena on the April 14 and family fun day on April 15.