SAN ANTONIO -- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In Bexar County, city and county leaders are taking it a step further.
Many gathered outside the justice center Friday to speak about the importance of child abuse awareness month.
Child advocates filled the steps of the county courthouse to speak for those who can't.
"In the San Antonio region, the number of child abuse victims total 7,498. That's enough kids to fill every seat in the Majestic Theater twice," District 19, State Senator, Carlos Uresti said.
Local leaders are recalling the story of a four year-old boy who put this issue at the forefront back in 2013.
Jovonie Ochoa died Christmas day after being starved to death by his own grandparents.
"Sadly, we may not be able to save every child every time. We can and we must do more to prevent tens of thousands of children from being hurt by the very people entrusted to protect them. That's exactly why the blue ribbon task force was created," Uresti said.
In Bexar County, the work continues through intervention and punishment initiatives.
"Hopefully, the message is clear that we are not going to tolerate it when people abuse our treasure," Bexar County District Attorney, Nico LaHood said.
Although many children have been saved because of the blue ribbon task force, authorities said there is still more that must be done.