24 LC 112 1890
Senate Resolution 455
By: Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Brass of the 28th, Jackson of the 41st, Merritt of the
9th, Burns of the 23rd and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 7, 2024, as Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia Day in the State
1
of Georgia; and for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, child abuse, exploitation, and neglect are significant problems in the United3
States, and the effects are traumatic and can be long-lasting; and4
WHEREAS, in the past year in the State of Georgia, 11,899 newly suspected child abuse5
victims were served daily in Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia's network of member6
Child Advocacy Centers (CACs). One out of every ten children will be sexually abused7
before the age of 18, and of these victims served by Children's Advocacy Centers of8
Georgia's network, approximately 29 percent are seven years old and younger. The average9
age of entry to commercial sexual exploitation in Georgia is 12 years old. The Commercial10
Sexual Exploitation of Children Response Team (which includes the network of 49 CACs)11
has served child victims of commercial exploitation (trafficking) as young as three years old;12
and13
WHEREAS, Children's Advocacy Centers began establishing in Georgia 37 years ago and14
were created to correct the fragmented, adult-oriented, and insensitive treatment services to15
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children. Professionals and agencies would meet and talk with the child separately and
16
repeatedly in facilities designed for adults; and17
WHEREAS, Children's Advocacy Centers provide a neutral, child-friendly environment18
where trained professionals and agencies utilize a multi-disciplinary team approach to19
investigate and treat alleged child abuse and exploitation cases. CACs offer prompt, ongoing,20
and free forensic, advocacy, medical, and therapeutic services to investigative professionals21
and the children and families collectively served. The research and evidence-based practices22
of CAC professionals in the forensic and therapeutic services reduce trauma to child victims23
and their families, which increases the child's ability to heal and become successful adults24
who positively contribute to their communities; and25
WHEREAS, Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia is a nonprofit organization with the26
mission to promote lifelong resiliencies for all of Georgia's child abuse victims by providing27
resources and oversight of standardization of care to our network of child advocacy centers28
and direct services for child trafficking victims. In 2020, Children's Advocacy Centers of29
Georgia was designated to provide the statewide response to commercial sexual exploitation30
of children and established the first-of-its-kind CSEC Response Team, which provides a31
direct service team that works in conjunction with the CACs of Georgia and combines the32
efforts of CACs and multidisciplinary teams across our state to fight the sale of children and33
provide treatment to the victims; and34
WHEREAS, Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia is an accredited chapter of the National35
Children's Alliance and is a statewide membership organization composed of 49 certified36
Member CACs; and37
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WHEREAS, Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia is a national leading state chapter
38
committed to alleviating all forms of child abuse including physical abuse and neglect, sexual39
abuse, internet crimes against children, child fatality, and commercial sexual exploitation of40
children (otherwise known as CSEC or child trafficking).41
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body42
commend the Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia and their network of CACs for their43
diligent and steadfast commitment to assisting victims of child abuse as well as recognize44
February 7, 2024, as Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia Day in the State of Georgia.45
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed46
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the47
press.48
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