EDITORIAL: Child Abuse Prevention Month: Speak up

Published 1:21 pm Tuesday, April 1, 2025

There were nearly 10,000 confirmed child victims of sex trafficking, abuse and neglect in Georgia in 2023, according to a report by the advocacy group Prevent Child Abuse Georgia.

One in 10 children in Georgia will experience some form of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday, according the state department of public health.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, aimed at raising awareness of the issue and generating discussion on ways to prevent the abuse and neglect of children. We should also note that the numbers don’t tell the whole story. The numbers don’t tell just how many acts of abuse against children go unreported or unnoticed each year. The numbers don’t tell us how each of these acts impacts a vicious cycle of abuse. The numbers can’t speak for our children — but we can, and we should.

Children who experience child maltreatment such as physical abuse or neglect earlier in their lives are at greater risk for committing violence against peers, bullying, teen dating violence, and committing child abuse, elder abuse, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence later in life.

Child abuse can take many forms from sexual, physical and verbal to neglect. Knowing the warning signs and the steps for taking appropriate action — notifying authorities — can help break the cycle.

Suspected child abuse and neglect should be reported to the local Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office or it can be done toll-free at 1-855-GACHILD. The hotline is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Reports can also be maid online at cps.dhs.ga.gov. Prevent Child Abuse Georgia has a helpline and referral available for information on how to combat abuse. The helpline can be reached at 1-800-CHILDREN.

There are too many cases involving children that slip through the cracks. We mustn’t remain silent when it comes to our children.