Prevent Child Abuse and Sexual Assault. BE a HERO by RECOGNIZING, RESPONDING and REFERRING.
Did you know…
- In the U.S., 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence in their lifetime.
- 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old.
- In 80% of sexual assaults, the victim knew the perpetrator.
- At least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year.
- In 2022, there were 2,022 child abuse cases reported in Lowndes County.
To all of the SURVIVORS who have experienced violence or abuse…“Remember you are NOT ALONE. Take it one day at a time and never give up…you are so much stronger than you know. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help and lean on others as needed. CHOOSE to not allow the past and others to define your self-worth.” From an Amazing Survivor of Childhood Violence
BE a HERO by RECOGNIZING, RESPONDING & REFERRING
Recognize the Signs of Child Abuse or Neglect…
- Unexplained injuries, such as bruises
- Extreme behaviors, such as excessive crying, truancy or running away
- Poor hygiene and unsuitable clothing
- Excessive fear of parent(s), caregiver(s) or going home
- Depression or excessive crying
- Poor peer relationships or inability to relate to children of the same age
- Sudden change in behavior
- Constant hunger, tiredness, or lack of energy
- Attention-seeking behaviors
The good news is YOU can help prevent & bring awareness of Sexual Assault and Child Abuse by….
- Educating yourself, your child, and others about abuse, safety, and boundaries
- Talking about prevention, awareness, and abuse openly
- Minimizing potentially unsafe opportunities
- Recognizing the signs of abuse and assault
- Reacting responsibly—If you see something, say something; BYSTANDER INTERVENTION!
“We owe our children…a life free of violence and fear.” — Nelson Mandela
To protect one another and be a voice to the silenced, we must TALK ABOUT these difficult topics to PREVENT child abuse and sexual assault. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, ONE LIFE AT A TIME!
- CALL 911 if you are in danger.
- To make a report of child abuse/neglect, call DFCS Child Protective Services by calling 1-855-GA-CHILD.
*Adult victims/survivors can contact 1-800-33-HAVEN 24 hours/365 days.
Children, Adolescents, & Adult Victims/Survivors seeking counseling for trauma/abuse/PTSD can contact EnSpire Counseling & Wellness at
(229) 262-1000.
Written by Leah McMillan, DPA, LMFT, EMDR-T, CFRC (Founder/Owner/Clinician of EnSpire Counseling & Wellness)
Resource: https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/