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Cleveland County proclaims April 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month; DSS cites 1,317 reports in 2024
Summary
The board adopted a proclamation recognizing April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month after a presentation from Cleveland County Department of Social Services, which reported 1,317 children were reported for alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation in 2024 and about 250 children are in county custody under court order.
The Cleveland County Board of Commissioners adopted a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month following a presentation by Rebecca Johnson of the county's Department of Social Services.
Rebecca Johnson told the board that in North Carolina in 2024 there were roughly 19,000 children reported statewide for abuse, neglect or dependency, and that Cleveland County had 1,317 children reported for alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation during 2024. She said approximately 250 children are currently in the legal custody of the county under court order.
"That is a large number for our county," Johnson said, urging residents to consider foster parenting and community supports. The proclamation text read into the record stated that preventing child abuse and neglect requires community action and urged citizens to join local child protection organizations and partners in prevention and education.
Commissioners praised Department of Social Services staff and volunteers who organized events during April, including a pinwheel garden and a "sound the alarm" public-awareness event that involved the sheriff's office and local fire and EMS agencies. Commissioner Bridges said, "Nothing's more important than taking care of the children," and commended DSS work.
The proclamation was adopted by the board at the meeting; the adopted text included a call for citizens to participate in education and prevention activities. No vote roll call was recorded in the public transcript; the proclamation language was read aloud and marked "Adopted this the April 2025." The county did not provide a financial appropriation associated with the proclamation during the meeting.
