Silence surrounds statues in a Memory Garden in Benton County, and each one represents a child who lost their life at the hands of abuse.
"Any level of abuse, it tears into the soul of that child.... Every type of abuse chips away a little bit of that innocence."
Stuffed animals rest beside a memorial for 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman.
"It always progresses and where it's one form, it will develop into other forms and unfortunately sometimes even death," said Natalie Tibbs, Assistant Director and nurse at the Children's Advocacy Center in Benton County.
Tibbs knows some children become withdrawn, grades start slipping, or bruises might be visible. When warning signs of abuse are not so obvious, it is concern that justifies a call.
"We have those things that just don't feel right... It's not waiting until the end of the day or until next week when it's more convenient. We're dealing with a child's life here and we need to respond to that immediately."
Reports can remain anonymous by dialing the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline or calling local law enforcement.
"How many people go, I kind of knew that was going on but I wasn't really quite sure, and how much more abuse did that child have to endure because we didn't want to get involved... We have to really take a responsiblity for what our role really is and as a community, our role is to be concerned."
Even if investigators find no abuse taking place, you never know when a call out of concern will prevent the Memory Garden from growing.
"When we find out that the child is not making disclosures, there's no abuse, that's a good thing... At least somebody cared enough to call that hotline to say that they were concerned."
Tibbs also shared other ways people can try and protect their kids from abuse. Tibbs believes parents first have to look at themselves and make sure they are doing everything they can to protect their children; get to know their coaches, babysitters, and even make sure to meet other parents before a sleepover. Tibbs also believes parents need to examine who they are bringing into their childrens' lives and who they are trusting to take care of them.
The Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline is 1.800.482.5964.
