Oak House Kicks Off Child Abuse Awareness Month at Courthouse

Community leaders gather to advocate for reporting suspected child abuse.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:09pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration of blue pinwheels repeated in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the push to raise awareness and take action against child abuse.The Oak House event used the iconic blue pinwheel, a symbol of child abuse prevention, to raise awareness and call the community to action.Bainbridge Today

The Oak House Children's Advocacy Center hosted a 'Hands Around the Courthouse' event in Bainbridge, Georgia to kick off Child Abuse Awareness Month. Speakers including the mayor, district attorney, and Oak House's CEO emphasized the importance of reporting suspected child abuse and the center's mission to support at-risk families and children.

Why it matters

Child abuse is an ongoing issue that affects communities across the country. Events like this one aim to educate the public on the signs of abuse and encourage them to speak up if they suspect something, in order to connect families with the resources and support they need.

The details

The event featured remarks from Bainbridge Mayor Sylvia Washington, District Attorney Joe Mulholland, GBI Special Agent Hank Day, and Oak House CEO Amy Eakin. They discussed the prevalence of child abuse, the importance of advocacy and reporting, and the digital dangers facing children today. This is the second year the event has been held at the Decatur County Courthouse, but the 14th year Oak House has hosted a kickoff for Child Abuse Awareness Month.

  • The event took place on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
  • It kicked off Child Abuse Awareness Month.

The players

Oak House Children's Advocacy Center

A non-profit organization that provides services to promote security and stability for at-risk families, children, and individuals.

Sylvia Washington

The mayor of Bainbridge, Georgia.

Joe Mulholland

The district attorney.

Hank Day

A special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Amy Eakin

The chief executive director of Oak House.

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What they’re saying

“We just want to bring awareness to child abuse and let the community know that it is something that is happening. It is growing every day — our numbers are increasing, they're not going down.”

— Amy Eakin, Chief Executive Director, Oak House

“We want people to know that if you see something, say something — don't hold back. Even if you are not sure, say something because you can leave it to the professionals to see if something truly happened.”

— Amy Eakin, Chief Executive Director, Oak House

What’s next

Oak House will continue its advocacy work and provide support services to families throughout Child Abuse Awareness Month and beyond.

The takeaway

This event highlights the ongoing need to raise awareness and encourage reporting of suspected child abuse in order to connect vulnerable families with the resources and assistance they require. The collaborative effort between local leaders and the Oak House organization demonstrates the community's commitment to protecting children.