Child Abuse

Child Abuse

Their voices are not heard. They are speechless when it comes to the ones who gave them life. A mother and a fathers love is unconditional, but whose love is it really that is unconditional. It is that of a child, the child that nobody hears their cry's and screams for help, the child who seals there mouth shut due to fear of having to leave their parents.

There were 287,000 children served by Children's Advocacy Centers around the country in 2012:

*109,619 children were ages 0 to 6 years

*103,636 children were ages 7 to 12 years

*71,840 children were ages 13 to 18 years

Among the 262,000 alleged offenders investigated for instances of child abuse in 2012, 85,699 were a parent or step-parent to the child. An estimated of 4 children die each day from child abuse or neglect. United States wide there were 1545 deaths last year. These statistics are astonishing.

In Georgia alone there were 7,598 children removed from their homes and placed in the care of the Department of Children and Families. There were also 65 reported deaths due to abuse or neglect. We all need to work together as a community, get our abuse numbers down and be set as an example for other states in our country.

Parenting is one of the toughest and most important jobs and we all have a stake in ensuring that parents have access to the resources and support that they need to be successful. Entire communities play a role in helping families find the strength they need to raise safe, healthy and productive children. Here are some things that we can all do in our community:

* Get to know your neighbors. Problems seem less overwhelming when support is nearby.

* Help a family under stress. Offer to babysit, help with chores and errands, or suggest resources in the community that can help.

* Reach out to children in your community. A smile or a word of encouragement can mean a lot, whether it comes from a parent or a passing stranger.

* Be an active community member. Lend a hand at local schools, community or faith-based organizations, children's hospitals, social service agencies, or other places where families and children are supported.

* Keep your neighborhood safe. Start a Neighborhood Watch or plan a local "National Night Out" community event. You will get to know your neighbors while helping to keep your neighborhood and children safe.

* Learn how to recognize and report signs of child abuse and neglect. Reporting your concerns may protect a child and get help for a family who needs it. It doesn't matter if you're a family member or someone's best friend. You have to make a report if a child is