Carroll County proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month; county advocacy center outlines services and rising internet-facilitated cases

Carroll County commissioners adopted a proclamation designating April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard a multi-agency presentation from the Carroll County Advocacy and Investigation Center (CAC), law-enforcement partners and child-protective-services supervisors on services, trends and community prevention efforts.

The proclamation urged citizens, schools, health-care providers and community organizations to "go blue for kids" by wearing blue on Fridays in April and to support awareness activities such as pinwheel gardens placed countywide. County presenters emphasized prevention, trauma-informed investigations, and coordinated multidisciplinary responses that reduce repeated interviews and support children and families.

Carroll County Advocacy and Investigation Center staff described the center's multidisciplinary model — which brings together law enforcement, Child Protective Services, forensic interviewers, medical and mental-health providers, advocates and prosecutors in a single child-friendly location. "By having these services available, children and their families don't have to endure multiple interviews, visits to different agencies, or the trauma of having to share their experience time and time again," a CAC representative said.

2024 caseloads and trends: The Sheriff's Office presented 2024 statistics for cases seen at the CAC: 381 children were served. Of investigations cited, 48% involved sexual abuse or sexual assault; 41% of cases involved internet-facilitated crimes against children (ICAC), such as online solicitation; 10% were physical abuse and 1% neglect. The Sheriff's Office briefed that 90% of alleged offenders were known to the victim; 62% of cases involved children aged 11–17; 25% involved children aged 8–10; and 13% involved children under 6.

Responding agencies said they are expanding outreach and prevention messaging, and highlighted specific community events: an annual walk at Dutter's Park on April 24 (1–2:30 p.m.) and other awareness activities including trainings and fundraising events.

Resources and contacts: Presenters provided the county reporting line for suspected abuse (410-386-3434) and urged callers to call 911 when immediate danger exists. The county also noted a coordinated system of local nonprofits and clinical services that participate in biweekly case staffings and ongoing victim services.

Ending: Commissioners thanked the multidisciplinary team for its work and encouraged public awareness; the proclamation and the presentations will be used to publicize prevention resources and events throughout April.