Two-hundred sixty-four. That’s how many abused children Power House for Kids in Toccoa served last year. Of that number, 119 were sexually abused. Of those 119, all were from Habersham County.
The words tragic, disturbing and sad come to mind but no adjective can fully encompass the enormity of what those numbers represent. On paper they’re digits, in reality they’re children whose lives have been irrevocably altered by abuse.
Consider the statistics:
- An estimated 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
- Approximately 73% of child sexual abuse victims do not tell anyone about the abuse for at least a year. 45% of victims do not tell anyone for at least 5 years. Some never disclose.
- In Georgia, the leading cause for bringing children into state custody is child neglect.
- Habersham County received over 500 reports of child abuse in 2013.
If those statistics don’t make you shudder, consider this. Most often the abuser is someone the child knows — a parent, a relative, a neighbor or family friend. These are the people our children are supposed to be able to trust, the people who are supposed to protect and take care of them. It’s enough to make you want to cry. Hopefully, it’s enough to make you want to do something.
What can you do?
First, get involved. As a community we must acknowledge that child abuse is not someone else’s problem, it’s our problem. We must work together to make others aware of the dangers and do all that we can to keep our children safe.
Second, understand what child abuse is. It comes in many forms including physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect.
Third, pay attention. While many child abuse victims can’t or won’t talk about it, there are telltale signs. Be aware. Pay attention to the children around you and watch for the warning signs.
Fourth, learn how to protect children. Prevent Child Abuse Habersham (PCAH) offers a 2-hour training course by the children’s advocacy group Darkness to Light called “Stewards of Children.”
The course uses real people and real stories to teach you how to prevent child abuse and deal with its aftermath. PCAH Executive Director Jennifer Stein says, “This 2 hour training is the only evidence based training proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and change child protective behaviors.”
Beyond the tipping point
In his book The Tipping Point, author Malcolm Gladwell explains that when a message reaches 5% of any population, you create such momentum that you reach a “tipping” point and are able to bring about cultural change.
“Our goal at Prevent Child Abuse Habersham is to change the attitudes and behaviors of adults concerning the issue of child sexual abuse from one of being shrouded in fear and denial to one where adults in the community work together to bring about prevention and the ultimate safety of our children,” says Stein.
Habersham County has reached 79% percent of its tipping point.
According to PCAH, 1,310 of the 1,658 adults needed to reach the tipping point in Habersham have completed the “Stewards of Children” training. The push is on to move Habersham beyond the tipping point with a two-day training blitz November 10th and 11th.
Five 2-hour sessions will be offered each day. The goal is to train at least 348 more Habersham Countians on ways to prevent and effectively deal with child abuse. Thanks to a generous donation by the Clarkesville Kiwanis Club, that training will be free.
READ: Clarkesville Kiwanis ‘Changing Darkness to Light’
If you’re a parent, grandparent, coach, instructor, Sunday School teacher, babysitter or are simply around kids in the community we urge you to sign up for the “Stewards of Children” training. You may register online at www.preventchildabusehabersham.org or Darkness to Light Events. For more information contact PCAH at (706) 968-9637 or [email protected].
