April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child abuse is a problem in Jones County like in any other county in the U.S., but making residents aware of what they can do to help is the first step.
Nancy Gordon, Victims Advocate from the Ocmulgee Circuit, said child abuse is an ongoing issue in Jones County and in the entire nation that needs to be fought against. She said it’s important for people to recognize the signs of child abuse and to always report it if something doesn’t feel right about a situation.
“It’s been hard to get out into the community due to the pandemic, so what I’ve done is put up a bulletin board in the lobby at the government center. It gives you some stats and some information on child abuse,” she said. “I give out bracelets, and I go into the lobby to talk to people when I can. The bracelets say there’s no excuse for child abuse.”
She said even though COVID-19 is a thing, child abuse has still been happening. She said since April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, she wants to get the word out even more. She said she wants to do whatever she can to help stop what is going on not only nationally, but in Jones County, too.
“People need to know what is going on. The response I get from this community is just awesome. People respond very well out in the lobby, and I get a lot of feedback, too. People definitely want child abuse to stop in our community,” Gordon said.
The victims advocate said she wants adults in the community to be the voice for children who can’t speak up. She said if they hear it and see it, then they need to report it.
“These kids are our future,” she said. “They deserve to have a safe and happy childhood. If they don’t have a safe and happy childhood, it causes problems for them in the future as adults. When the kids were out of school due to the pandemic, who was reporting the child abuse?”
Gordon said residents in Jones County might not always be aware child abuse is going on in the community because they don’t have to see it or deal with it. She said they don’t always know it’s going on until they see it happening.
She said some of the signs to look for with child abuse is if the child draws up if someone gets ready to pat them on the back, they might act stand offish and they might not speak up about things going on at home. She said to also pay attention to their clothes and if they appear not to be getting enough to eat.
“The best thing you can do is be observant about your community. Just be aware of how children are acting when they are around you. If you see it, report it. We have to get involved,” Gordon said.
To reach out for help with child abuse, call the Child help hotline at 1-800-422-4453, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office at 478-986-3489, Jones County Division of Family & Children Services at 478-986-3126, or the district attorney’s office in Gray at 478-986-3166.
