April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Published 3:44 pm Tuesday, March 10, 2020

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April was designated Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983 when a report about abused and neglected children caught the attention of President Ronald Reagan. The epidemic of child abuse continues to grow in our nation.

On Sunday, April 26 (Blue Sunday), The Oak House Child Advocacy Center is asking all faith based communities to be in prayer for child abuse victims as well as those who work with and care for these victims. They suggest that congregations wear blue on this day to show support.

The faith community must face the facts: 1) one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. 2) most child abuse incidents are drug and alcohol related. 3) Within one year of aging out of the foster care system, 66 percent of victims will be homeless, in jail or dead. 4) There are over 100,000 children awaiting adoption in the U.S. 5) 125 of those victims are in our South Georgia Circuit in 2019, alone.

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The Oak House Child Advocacy Center suggests these ways to pray for abused children on Blue Sunday: 1) pray they will be rescued, 2) pray they are placed with caring, educated people, 3) pray their minds and bodies can heal, 4) pray they find hope, 5) pray for those who rescue, work with and care for them.

Please contact The Oak House Child Advocacy Center at 229-309-1882, or amy.theoakhouse@ymail.com.