The Williamson County Commissioners Court on April 8 unanimously approved a proclamation designating April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month in the county.

The court read statistics from the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center’s recent reporting: 6,396 intakes of alleged child abuse in the last fiscal year, 5,298 in 2023, and 5,469 in 2022; 3,452 intakes since Oct. 1, 2024; and 968 forensic interviews in the latest reporting period. The proclamation also cited 429 medical exams provided and the center’s other services: the center reported serving 569 families, delivering trauma therapy to 241 individuals, and educating 24,197 people through K–12 and staff trainings.

The proclamation, as read to the court, stated that preventing child abuse requires collaboration among families, communities, organizations and government entities and called on residents, organizations and community leaders to support the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center’s prevention and response efforts.

Commissioners thanked advocates and first responders in the room for their work. The court moved and seconded the proclamation and approved it by a 4–0 vote. Court members invited representatives to come forward for a photo and to explain the pinwheel symbol used in national child-abuse-prevention materials.

The proclamation directs local attention to child-abuse prevention and recognizes the county’s continued support for the advocacy center’s work in response and prevention.