AMERICUS — “Signs of Sumter” was the theme of the annual Community Celebration hosted by Visions of Sumter and the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce held recently at the John M. Pope Technology Center on the campus of South Georgia Technical College. Local agency representatives, business leaders, law enforcement officials and representatives from Sumter County Schools were among community members present at the lunch time program.

The audience heard from Americus-Sumter County Chamber Chairman Lewis Webb concerning new businesses and the goings-on at the Chamber. Webb reported that the Chamber now has over 380 members, gaining 28 new members in 2012, with more than 30 Platinum Trustee members. He said new businesses coming to the area include Roses, in the old Harvey’s location in Perlis Plaza, Pizza Hut To-Go, Reps (a new gym in downtown Americus), Little Caesars, Fabulous Feet (a new dance studio downtown) and Locktite (a division of ADT.

Following entertainment from Americus-Sumter High School choral members, Amy Boney, director of Sumter County’s Children’s Advocacy Center, gave a presentation with statistics concerning child abuse and neglect in Sumter County. One of the highlights of Boney’s presentation included the redrafting Sumter County’s Child Abuse Protocol in 2010. It was a concerted effort and collaboration on the part of investigative and child serving agencies. She said the team did such an excellent job, the Georgia House of Representatives has recognized its protocol as a document of best practices.

State statistics concerning child abuse included:

• One in every four girls will be sexually assaulted/abused by their 18th birthday.

• One every six boys will be sexually assaulted/abused by their 18th birthday

• Approximately 40 percent of child abuse victims are abused by older or larger children whom they know.

• Approximately 80 percent of children who are molested or raped never tell anyone.

• An average of nearly four children die every day as a result of child abuse or neglect.

• In 2011, approximately 150 children were transported out of county and out of the Southwestern Circuit to other Children Advocacy Centers for their forensic interviews and forensic medical evaluations for the investigation of child sexual abuse allegations.

• Approximately half of these children were residents of Sumter County.

• Risk factors for abuse in Sumter County: 1) 29.8 percent of population live below the poverty level 2) 40.1 percent of children in the county live below the poverty level 3)69.1 percent of Class of 2009 graduated 4) 45.3 Teen Pregnancies (10-19 year-olds) per 1,000 in the population 5) 1,521 STD rate (highest in the state)

• Our CAC's mission is to coordinate a multi-disciplinary response and provide comprehensive and compassionate services to children in cases of suspected child abuse in a safe and child friendly setting.

• Our services: Forensic Interviews, Expert Testimony, Child and Family Advocacy, Resource Information and Referral, Case Tracking, Child Abuse Prevention/Awareness Workshops for the Community

• A forensic interview is a semi-structured interview with a child using protocols to aid in the determination as to whether or not child abuse has occurred.

• Forensic Interviews should only be conducted by professionals who have received thorough training from a nationally recognized protocol site (NCAC, APSAC, Finding Words, Corner House).

Mission of the Child Abuse Protocol is to coordinate the efforts of all agencies, which investigate, treat and manage cases of child abuse and neglect; to investigate and review cases of unexplained child fatalities, and to facilitate and support agencies, organizations and individuals whose efforts are directed towards abuse prevention.

The keynote speaker at Tuesday’s event was Betty Ann Wylie, sister of Schley Gatewood of Americus. Wylie grew up in Americus and was born into the storytelling tradition of the south. She is a founding member of the Southern Order of Storytellers.

Wylie gave a performance Tuesday that she is well known for, delivering a mesmerizing presentation of poignant stories and poetry that conveyed the importance of supporting the needs of children, enabling their development and building self esteem.

The mission of Visions for Sumter is to foster and advance the causes and programs which are beneficial to the youth and children of our county through a comprehensive, coordinated community effort. Executive director is Joyce Carreker. Family Connection coordinator is Tommie Thompson. For more information email tthompson@visionsforsumter.com