Child abuse is a topic that no one enjoys discussing. However, the number of children that have been neglected and abused is something that can’t be ignored.
Here are just a few of the statistics about the number of children impacted in Georgia alone:
- Every day, 33 children are the victims of confirmed abuse or neglect.
- 200 incidents of child abuse and neglect are reported daily.
- 65 children died from abuse and neglect in 2011.
- On any given day, about 7,500 children are in the foster care system after being removed from abused homes.
(Source)
While we see the setbacks caused by child abuse on
a daily basis, we realize most people aren’t aware of the serious problem it has become.
As a way to bring awareness to an issue that’s impacting thousands of children within our state, Goshen Valley recently hosted our 2nd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Highlights from this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon
This year’s 2nd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon was a tremendous success. Held on Friday, April 25th in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month, over 250 people from Cherokee County and the surrounding counties participated in a luncheon to remember our unified work in preventing child abuse.
Presented by the Juvenile Court of Cherokee County and the Cherokee County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), representatives from these two entities including the GA DFCS Director Dr. Sharon Hill, local judges, government officials, local non-profits and community members participated in the event.
Introduced by Chief Judge Jackson Harris of the Cherokee County Superior Court, the keynote speaker for the event was Presiding Justice P. Harris Hines of the Georgia Supreme Court. Justice Hines gave an encouraging word to all who were in attendance. Justice Hines spoke to the crowd, reminding them that they were his “heroes” as they were the ones doing the very difficult work of caring for children in tough circumstances. He also encouraged the participants not to be jaded, but to look at each circumstance as hopeful and having potential.
In addition to the keynote, Mr. Ross Collins, Region 3 Director of the Division of Family and Children Services shared the positive outcomes of recent collaboration between the region’s care providers and DFCS.
The event was co-hosted by Goshen Valley and WellStar Health System.
No child should ever have to live with the burdens caused by abuse and neglect. Thanks to all of the incredible leaders who joined us to raise awareness and support to end child abuse as well as those who support our efforts to transform those stories of burden into stories of blessing.
If you want to learn more about how you can help put an end to the abuse of children in our state, you can find more information from our partners at the Division of Family and Children’s Services.
