BONHAM, TX-An average of 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year nationwide according to ChildHelp.org, thousands of those are from right here in Texoma. Monday, the Fannin County Children's Center kicked off a new program to train adults how to spot child abuse and, hopefully, stop it.

"Our mission is about preventing and helping kids who have been abused and neglected. And, the thing is, we have a lot of professionals, a whole team of professionals who can respond to child abuse, however we can't get started unless somebody has the courage to make a report."

Fannin County Children's Center Executive Director, Sandy Barber, said they get about 300 reports of child abuse every year, but Barber said there are even more victims who are staying silent.

"This past year, we had about a 25 percent drop in the number of reports going in, however the number of confirmed victims stayed about the same. So that makes us really worried that there are kids out there that are being abused but nobody's made that report," she said.

"It's a little alarming to know there's so many cases. I wouldn't think in a normal basis that it's that common or it's that many. It kinda worries me."

Daycare owner, Dustin Whitmire, said now she knows what signs to look for.

"When a child has an injury that doesn't match up with the story, that's something to be concerned about. Or if a child specifically does say that somebody has touched them inappropriately or done something of a sexual nature to them, that's some of the signs they need to be watching for," said Barber.

"I hope I don't have to use it but I would like to know everything that I can find out to help with my job," said Whitmire.

If you missed Monday's class, they will have another session on the 20th.