Georgia Conference on Child Abuse Prevention

Children are increasingly shifting the way they seek help—texting friends, searching online, watching videos for advice, or using artificial intelligence to ask questions like “Why am I sad?” or “What should I do if someone is mean to me?” With access to technology beginning at an early age, these patterns are shaping how children navigate emotions and challenges. While these tools provide immediate responses, they cannot replace the protective power of human connection.
 
This interactive 90-minute workshop explores how these evolving help-seeking behaviors impact child well-being and highlights connection as a critical protective factor. Grounded in Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), the session introduces the LOUDER framework as a practical, relationship-centered approach to strengthening relationships across families, schools, and communities.
 
Through real-world scenarios and reflection, participants will learn how everyday interactions—listening, understanding behavior, and showing up consistently—serve as forms of collective care that strengthen families, prevent harm, promote resilience, and support healing. Participants will leave with actionable strategies and a caregiver-friendly LOUDER Than AI guide to strengthen connection and sustain their capacity to show up consistently and with care.

This workshop presents findings from a 2025 mixed-methods study conducted by Georgia State University and Saprea measuring public perceptions of child sexual abuse (CSA) among Georgia residents. The study worked to establish baseline perception data using both a representative panel sample (n=2,819) and a convenience sample (n=338), with responses analyzed across demographic and geographic dimensions.

Attendees will explore what Georgians believe about the prevalence, preventability, and community impact of CSA, and how those beliefs vary by demographic indicators like familial status, rural/metro areas, and ethnicity. The workshop also presents qualitative findings drawn from over 1,500 open-ended responses,  that reflect the public's own language and priorities for prevention.

Designed for practitioners, policymakers, educators, and community leaders, this session will help participants translate perception data into more targeted, community-responsive prevention strategies. Led by Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, the second half of the workshop will conclude with a comprehensive overview of child sexual abuse prevention programs, resources, and evidence-informed strategies currently available across Georgia, highlighting practical ways individuals and organizations can turn these findings into action. Participants will leave with a better understanding of how to leverage public perceptions to strengthen prevention efforts, engage communities, and work collaboratively toward protecting children.

Caregiver burnout often develops long before a family reaches a crisis. However, it is often overlooked or misunderstood. Research shows that parents of children with disabilities face increased risks of depression 57%; anxiety 35% and caregiver burden 49% (Soh et al., 2025; Bourke-Taylor et al., 2022)

The day-to-day demands: managing behavioral challenges, time pressures, and social isolation are constant. Caregiver wellbeing directly impacts child outcomes. Stress and burnout can reduce quality of care, harm family dynamics, and limit the child’s development and resilience. Stronger caregiver wellbeing supports positive childhood experiences, adaptive behavior, and overall family functioning (Masefield et al., 2020)

This session invites providers to share their own experiences and insights from daily practice, exploring how burnout shows up in families and which early signs are often missed. Participants will discuss practical ways to support caregivers and support reduction in burnout.

Through real-world scenarios, reflection, and open discussion, attendees will learn from each other’s experiences and collaboratively explore prevention strategies. The session focuses on idea sharing, practical insight, and collective responsibility to support families before they reach a breaking point.