April was a busy month, with many events ranging from the sad to the spectacular. On the 10th we once again raised the Missing Children’s Flag to commemorate 12 children in Fulton and DeKalb counties that died as a result of violence in their homes over the course of the last year. These children died senselessly as a result of deliberate harm. The name of each child was read aloud, the youngest victim being 4 months old, and the oldest 16 years. We then released a beautiful white dove in memory and hope. Many thanks to DeKalb District Attorney Robert James and his staff for attending and helping us to renew our energy to stop violence against children. The very next day, we had our membership site review from Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia. We are always glad to show off the work of our center and to gain the insights and helpful suggestions from our CACGA peers. These events were quickly followed by our annual Prevention Facilitator’s Conference, which was a wonderful gathering of our prevention partners from across the state. We heard time and again about the amazing difference our prevention efforts are making and while at the conference we celebrated Lumpkin and Rabun counties reaching the 5% tipping point! Congratulations for the dedication and commitment from these two Georgia Counties. The big event, however, was our annual Change Maker’s breakfast featuring C. David Moody and Susan Duralde. Each brought their own message about the need to stop child sexual abuse. Over 250 people attended and we topped all earlier fund raising breakfasts!! Dave is certainly our hero for stepping up to tell of the devastation his abuse caused in his own life, but also, and most importantly, to learn of the health and healing he has drawn from this. Susan helped us to all know that we must listen to children and be ready to hear what they need to tell us. It was a powerful morning and we want to thank all who attended. So, in conclusion, April took us through highs and lows, storms and calm, all bringing the focus of our work into sharp relief. We must protect the children around us and ensure that they are safe and protected. I hope to see you soon along this path we have chosen.
Nancy Chandler

In March, The National Children's Advocacy Center held their 29th National Symposium on National Child Abuse. The symposium honored 7 people with outstanding service awards. Georgia Center for Child Advocacy's CEO, Nancy Chandler, was honored for being an advocate for children of abuse and helping to create awareness and provide services to the community. We would like to congratulate and honor all those leaders who are championing the needs of sexually and physically abused children.

The Georgia Center Clinical Team is very excited about a new initiative to provide therapy services to victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), a particularly challenging form of child sexual abuse. CSEC victims typically have experienced many different traumas over their lifetime. They often have histories of child sexual abuse and exposure to violence in their homes and communities and are subjected to further trauma, sexual victimization, and violence during their exploitation. Not surprisingly, these youth are at very high risk for a range of negative outcomes and have very complex mental health needs. The Georgia Center, through a grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, as well as through our participation on the Governor’s Office for Children and Families CSEC Task Force, is pleased to be part of the community response to CSEC and to participate in the healing process for CSEC victims in Georgia.