The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy (GCCA) hosted its 14th annual Change Makers Breakfast on April 18, raising over $65,000 to help prevent child sexual and physical abuse in Georgia. Former Emory University student and sex trafficking survivor Rachel Thomas was the keynote speaker. During the event, Dalia Racine was awarded the 2019 Nancy Chandler Child Advocate of the Year honor for her 15-year partnership with the GCCA.
 
“Each year, we recognize an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to championing the needs of children who have been sexually or physically abused,” said Sheila Ryan, CEO of the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. “It is our privilege to honor Dalia Racine this year. Her zealous advocacy for victims, her success in holding offenders accountable and her amazing spirit is felt by all who have had the privilege to work with her.”
 
Currently an attorney advisor at Aequitas, Racine began her career at the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office as prosecutor in the Crimes Against Women and Children’s Unit before being transferred to the Major Case Unit.  During her time in Fulton County, she prosecuted the sexual and physical assaults of women and children, including homicides and human trafficking.  Racine worked closely with the forensic interviewers at the GCCA as she was preparing for trial. When she joined the Crimes Against Children Unit at the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, she initiated the creation of a specialized human trafficking unit, handling over 90 defendants charged with human trafficking or related crimes. To date, that unit maintains a 100% conviction rate.
 
The Change Makers Breakfast is part of the GCCA’s observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. It began with a flag-raising ceremony on April 12 at the GCCA's Fulton County location to honor the 23 children in Georgia who lost their lives to abuse in 2018.