April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, and the Lee County Youth Development Center hosted a march and rally to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect and how individuals and communities can help prevent these crimes against children. PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER
BY MICHAELA YIELDING
FOR THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — Last week, the mayors of Auburn and Opelika signed proclamations recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Lee County Youth Development Center hosted a march to spread awareness of child abuse in our community. LCYDC Board President Kenneth Burton and LCYDC Executive Director Laura Cooper were featured speakers during the rally, which was well-attended. Burton thanked the mayors Gary Fuller of Opelika and Ron Anders of Auburn for their support.
The purpose of National Child Abuse Prevention Month observances is to raise awareness of children facing abuse and neglect and how individuals and communities can help prevent these crimes against children.
“As we gather here, let us remember that preventing child abuse is not just the responsibility of professionals, it’s a calling of a community, and I’m proud to say that our community is made up of people who care deeply, who show up and take action,” Burton said. “Thank you for standing with us, for believing in our children and for being a part of the change they and we all so desperately need.”
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services 2023 maltreatment report, the state of Alabama screened 26,397 reports of suspected child maltreatment in 2023. The rate of children being abused in Alabama was 23.3 per 100 children, which was lower than the national average of 28.7 per 100 children.
The report found that physical abuse was the most prevalent type of abuse—followed by neglect and sexual abuse. Approximately 60% of child sexual abuse victims never tell anyone and 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser.
Additionally, the report found that physical abuse was the most prevalent type of maltreatment, followed by neglect and sexual abuse. At least 20% of the perpetrators in child sexual abuse cases are female. Children with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be victims of abuse compared to children without disabilities. 82% of all victims under 18 are female.
Cooper closed the ceremony by thanking those in the community who continue to help protect the children of the Opelika-Auburn community.
“We want to close out the program by thanking you all, thanking all of Lee County, because you all pour into our children, and it means so much. Every child matters. We’re standing up for all children. Our law enforcement, DHR, our city governments, our council members, they are all pouring into you all when you don’t even know it. We’re so grateful— our campus could not be here were it not for that support and we couldn’t be able to pour into you if it were not for that support. I do also want to thank our Chanticleer Learning Center staff,” Cooper said.
