Special to IFN

RALEIGH — Gov. Josh Stein, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, N.C. Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai joined advocates and law enforcement officers at the SAFEChild Advocacy Center on Thursday to raise awareness of the ongoing tragedy of child abuse and neglect. 

“Every year there are more than 100,000 reports of child abuse and neglect in North Carolina,” Stein said. “I am proud to recognize Children’s Advocacy Center Day and Child Abuse Prevention Month so that we can seek justice and promote healing for North Carolina’s children, as well as reaffirm our commitment to protecting kids from abuse.”

“We all want our children to grow up safe, healthy, and with every opportunity to succeed,” Jackson added. “As attorney general, I take seriously the responsibility to make sure child survivors of abuse and trauma can heal, hold their abusers accountable, and build strong futures for themselves. I’m grateful for Governor Stein’s leadership to protect our kids.”

At SAFEChild’s Advocacy Center, Stein signed proclamations recognizing Children’s Advocacy Center Day and Child Abuse Prevention Month. As attorney general, Stein worked with the General Assembly to pass the Sexual Assault Fast Reporting and Enforcement Act, requiring people and institutions to report abuse to local law enforcement, regardless of the abuser’s relationship with the child.

Gov. Stein’s 2025-2027 budget proposal calls for increased investment in the Positive Parenting Program, which seeks to strengthen parenting skills and prevent child maltreatment.

“Every child in North Carolina deserves to grow up in a nurturing environment, free from abuse and neglect,” said SAFEchild Executive Director Cristin DeRonja. “A child who experiences abuse requires decades to recover and heal, which is why it is crucial that children’s advocacy centers have the resources to provide essential intervention and treatment for children who suffer from traumatic abuse and neglect. These children need a sense of hope, knowing that someone believes them and is on their side. I am eternally grateful for Governor Stein’s support and commitment to preventing and eliminating child abuse and neglect.”

If a child you know is being abused or neglected or exhibits signs of being abused or neglected, please help them seek help. Resources are available for reporting suspected abuse or neglect and recognizing the signs of child abuse.