Go Blue

Why is Child Abuse Prevention Month important to us?

As we enter our 20th year supporting child victims and their families in Adams County, we reflect on how much progress has been made and how far we still have to go. In 2025, our center supported 244 child victims and their families. These children have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, witnessed violent crimes, or have been the victim of violent crimes. Many time, the children visiting our center experience more than one type of abuse or trauma.

At the ACCAC, we teach children the warning signs of abuse so they can speak up if something does happen, but we know that child abuse prevention starts with adults— it is our responsibility to protect and nurture the children in our lives. Preventing child abuse allows children to grow up without fear of others, lessens their likelihood of depression and anxiety, and can encourage healthy relationships throughout the course of their lives.

In 1874, the first documented case of child abuse occurred in New York with Mary Ellen Wilson. This led to the creation of the non-governmental New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Similar organizations were created across the country, with over 300 in place by 1922. In 1912, the federal government created the Children’s Bureau, in order to investigate & report on matters of the welfare of children; this was the first time the federal government played a part in taking responsibility for the welfare of children.

In 1962, Dr. C. Henry Kempe & Brandt F. Steele published “The Battered Child Syndrome” article through the Journal of American Medical Association, exposing the reality of child abuse and giving doctors ways to identify, understand, and report child abuse. By 1967, all 50 states had passed legislation mandating reporting of child abuse in some form.

In 1974, The Child Abuse Protection & Treatment Act was passed on the federal level, providing funding to states for prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse. It now provides the minimum standard for child maltreatment definitions across the nation. It was also through this process that the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (now the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect) was created in order to be the forefront of addressing the national problem of child abuse.

Congress designated June 6-12, 1982 as the first National Child Abuse Prevention Week. In 1983, April was formally designated at the first Child Abuse Prevention Month.

In 1989, the Blue Ribbon Campaign was started by a grandmother in Virginia in honor of her grandson who passed away as a result of child abuse. She tied a blue ribbon to her car’s antenna.

Today, the color blue is widely used to represent Child Abuse Prevention.

A more in-depth history of the Child Abuse Protection & Treatment Act, or overviews of the past National Conferences of Child Abuse & Neglect can be found here: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/focus-areas/child-abuse-neglect/nccan

  • In 2024, Pennsylvania had 41,070 child abuse referrals
    • 11.6% of those referrals were substantiated
      • 1,515 were for children ages 0-4
      • 1,350 were for children ages 5-9
      • 1,265 were for children ages 10-14
      • 626 were for children age 15+
    • 2,623 referrals were about a child who previously had at least one abuse concern
  • Across the state, the child abuse referrals reported multiple types of abuse
    • 32.5% of reports were related to sexual abuse
    • 27.0% related to physical abuse/bodily injury
    • 16.5% related to serious physical neglect
    • 16.3% related to likelihood of bodily injury
    • 3.7% related to “per se” acts*
    • 1.9% related to likelihood of sexual exploitation
    • 1.5% related to severe form of trafficking
    • 0.6% related to serious mental injury
    • 0.0% related to medical abuse
  • In 2024, Pennsylvania received 176,496 additional reports of general concern
    • 22.4% of those reports were found to be valid concerns
      • 16,672 were for children ages 0-4
      • 15,855 were for children ages 5-9
      • 15,983 were for children ages 10-14
      • 9,138 were for children age 15+
      • 169 had age not reported
  • In 2024, there were 60 substantiated abuse related child deaths across the state.
    • 25 of the children were under the age of 1
    • An additional 82 near-deaths occurred across the state.
  • Over 42 million Pennsylvania adults are survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

*per se acts, as defined by PA CPSL law include: kicking, biting, throwing, burning, stabbing, or cutting child in a manner that endangers the child; unreasonably restraining or confining a child, based on consideration of method, location, or duration.
**data from 2024 Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Report; 2024 being most recent data available

  • In 2024, Adams County received 372 child abuse referrals
    • 15.3% of those referrals were substantiated
    • 7.8% of referrals were about a child who previously had at least one abuse concern
  • Of the substantiated reports, many contained multiple types of abuse:
    • 35.3% reported sexual abuse
    • 27.9% reported physical abuse and/or bodily injury
    • 13.2% reported reasonable likelihood of bodily injury
    • 10.3% reported serious physical neglect
    • 5.9% reported engaging in “per se” acts*
    • 5.9% reported likelihood of sexual exploitation
    • 1.5% reported severe form of trafficking
  • In 2024, Adams County had 1,492 reports of general concerns, with some reports containing multiple concerns.
    • 299 concerns for caregiver’s substance use
    • 255 concerns for caregiver conduct placing child at risk, or failing to protect child
    • 244 concerns for child’s behavioral health and/or intellectual disability concerns
    • 174 concerns for domestic violence
    • 162 concerns for inadequate housing
    • 128 concerns for truancy and/or educational neglect
    • 110 concerns for “other”
    • 106 concerns for inadequately meeting basic needs
    • 96 concerns for caregiver behavioral health and/or intellectual disability concerns
    • 88 concerns for inappropriate discipline
    • 41 concerns for inadequate health care
    • 41 concerns for child acting out sexually
    • 36 concerns for lack of supervision
    • 29 concerns for child substance use
    • 11 concerns for abandonment
    • 3 concerns for infant withdrawal symptoms

*per se acts, as defined by PA CPSL law include: kicking, biting, throwing, burning, stabbing, or cutting child in a manner that endangers the child; unreasonably restraining or confining a child, based on consideration of method, location, or duration.
**data from 2024 Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Report; 2024 being most recent data available

  • In 2025, Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center received 538 referrals of Child Line reports.
  • The ACCAC was able to support 244 child victims and their families through forensic interviews, advocacy, support groups, and therapy.
  • Of the 244 children served:
    • 137 identified as female
    • 59 identified as male
    • 1 identified as non-binary
    • 0 identified as transgender
    • 1 did not report their gender
    • 113 were ages 2-12 years
    • 84 were ages 13-17 years
    • 1 age was not reported
    • 37 received a medical consultation or full exam with a trained Pediatric SANE nurse
  • The children served by ACCAC reported:
    • 164 cases of child sexual abuse/assault
    • 65 cases of child physical abuse and/or neglect
    • 13 cases of unspecified trauma
    • 12 cases of reckless endangerment
    • 5 cases of bullying
    • 4 cases of teen dating violence
    • 23 children reported multiple victimization types

What did ACCAC do in 2025 to support victims and prevent future abuse?

  • Child & Family Advocates provided over 450 units of advocacy support (emotional support, individual counseling, support group, psychoeducation, and more).
    • This includes providing follow-up support 60+ days from the child’s appointment at the center. Follow-up support has no time limit, allowing families to receive as much support as they need.
  • Mental Health Therapist provided trauma therapy to 41 child victims and psychoeducation opportunities to their caregivers
  • Staff provided education and resources to over 1,600 community members through our community outreach program
  • Staff provided prevention education lessons to 29 adult community members
  • Prevention Educator provided age-appropriate school-based prevention education lessons to 5,437 children across the county
  • ACCAC provided resources, tips, information, and more through our virtual presence on our website, Facebook, Instagram, and monthly newsletter.
Scroll to see all of our family-friendly events throughout the month and our exciting Community Partner Days! Many events are free and open to the public.
Find more details about each event here.
April 1, 2026

Community Partner Month:
Aldus Brewing

Aldus Brewing will donate & match $1 from each 16oz draft American Blonde Ales purchased at Dolphin & Anchor Brewpub, throughout the entire month of April.

April 1, 2026
April 9, 2026

Paint & Pizza (5:30-7:30pm)

Guided painting & dinner for children and their caregiver- FREE event! Registration now full; Pizza provided by Tommy’s Pizza

April 9, 2026
April 10, 2026

County Wide Wear Blue Day

Show your support & wear blue! Tag @kidsagaincac on Facebook or Instagram with a picture of you wearing blue to be entered into a raffle

April 10, 2026
April 11, 2026

Family Hike (5:30-7:30pm)

FREE family-friendly hike at Caledonia State Park, followed by hot dog lunch. Co-hosted by ACCAC & Healthy Adams County Fitness Task Force. Registration requested.

April 11, 2026
April 11, 2026

Book Bingo (1:00-2:00pm)

Play bingo, win books! Suggested for kids K-5th Grade, but all children welcome. Registration requested

April 11, 2026
April 11, 2026

Music Bingo (6:00pm)

Hear the song, mark your board, get BINGO! Family-friendly games. $20 for 10 games, pay cash at the door.

April 11, 2026
April 14, 2026

Community Partner Day: GASD

Gettysburg Area School District staff can “dress down” with a small donation to ACCAC!

April 14, 2026
In addition to our community partners, we are so thankful for our local Go Blue supporters:

Interested in spreading the word about preventing child abuse?

As a caregiver, you can review these Safety Rules and share them with the children in your life!

Follow our social media and share our message!
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Go Blue Today!

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