Local leaders, advocacy organizations, and concerned citizens gathered for the fifth annual Bulloch Blueming for Prevention event on Thursday, April 24, 2025 to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect. With April designated Prevent Child Abuse Month, this year’s gathering spotlighted sobering local statistics and a growing collaboration among community organizations.
According to data presented at the event, Bulloch County continues to face serious challenges:
- Approximately 61 family intakes were assessed for abuse or neglect by the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) in 2024.
- Around 63 children were substantiated as abuse or neglect victims that same year.
- Law enforcement reported roughly 100 cases of cruelty to children and around 10 child molestations through the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office.
The Statesboro Police Department logged approximately 13 child cruelty cases, 19 custody disputes, and incidents involving runaways or children in need of supervision.
Additionally, one speaker cited that within a one-hour radius of Statesboro, about 600 children are currently in foster care due to abuse-related issues. Expanding to the broader southeast region, the number climbs to 1,500.
In Bulloch County alone, approximately 30 children are in foster care because of abuse. Substance abuse is identified as the leading cause behind many of these cases.
A variety of local officials and advocates addressed attendees, including:
- State Representative Lehman Franklin
- Sheriff Noel Brown, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office
- Chief Mike Broadhead, Statesboro Police Department
- Chairman David Bennett, Bulloch County Commissioners
- Mayor Pro Tem Shari Barr, City of Statesboro
- Keith Wilkey, Bulloch County Board of Education
- Julie Pickens, Executive Director of Child Advocacy Services of Southeast Georgia (CASSEGA)
- Kim Billings, Safe Haven
- Lily Gray, Teal House
- Kristen Kramer, Child Advocacy Services of Southeast Georgia
Julie Pickens, who leads CASSEGA, detailed the group’s three programs: CASA Ogeechee, which trains Court-Appointed Special Advocates; the Ogeechee Visitation Centers for supervised family interactions; and the new Positive Childhood Alliance, which offers parenting and life skills classes free of charge.
Colby Hatton, outreach coordinator with Teal House, explained the organization’s dual role as a child advocacy and sexual assault center. Teal House provides forensic medical exams, interviews with children involved in crimes, and ongoing counseling and legal advocacy. Hatton emphasized the strength of their partnership with Safe Haven and CASA, calling Blueming for Prevention a key example of successful collaboration.
The event concluded with an Impact Statement and the Planting of Pinwheels, symbolizing hope for abused and neglected children.
Organizers and speakers alike stressed that child abuse and neglect are preventable. By increasing community involvement, offering education, and supporting at-risk families, Bulloch County aims to reduce the devastating impact of abuse on children’s health, development, and future opportunities.
Residents can get involved by volunteering with organizations like CASA or The Teal House, requesting training, or referring families in need to free services available through these programs.
Everyone has a role in protecting children—and in helping them thrive.
Please call (912) 259-9255 to arrange an overview about Safe Haven and the services they provide to our community, or to obtain free outreach awareness materials. You can also visit safehavenstatesboro.org, or send an email to help@safehavenstatesboro.org if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse.