Children’s Trust hosted a press conference this week to release an economic report that estimates the expense due to the long-term health and employment impacts of child abuse and neglect.  

The study was authored by Joseph Von Nessen, Ph.D., research economist at the University of South Carolina, Darla Moore School of Business. It estimates that higher medical costs, increased workplace absenteeism, and lower wage levels collectively cause $74.2 billion in annual economic losses across South Carolina.  

Von Nessen, CEO Sue Williams, Senator Mike Reichenbach, Representative Paula Calhoon, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and SC American Academy of Pediatrics Chair Dr. Martha Edwards spoke at the event.  

The study used South Carolina data on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to measure the frequency of child abuse and neglect. ACEs are direct experiences individuals have before age 18, including violence, abuse, neglect and indirect experiences such as witnessing family violence or having a parent with substance abuse or mental health issues. Children who experience ACEs face a higher risk of negative outcomes later in life, including chronic health conditions and early death.  

“Higher medical costs, more missed days at work, and lower lifetime earnings. These losses affect every corner of our state, including both rural and urban counties,” said Sue Williams, CEO of Children’s Trust, in her remarks at the event.  

The report also includes county-level profiles that share population numbers for adults experiencing ACEs, the lost economic activity and potential prevention impacts.

Legislative Agenda: Fund the Children’s Trust Fund  

Children’s Trust also released its legislative agenda at the press conference, identifying prevention investments as its key priority. Specifically, Children’s Trust has identified funding the Children’s Trust Fund and allocating a recurring line item in the state budgets.  

Established by the General Assembly in 1984, the Trust Fund was created to find and fund innovative child abuse prevention work across South Carolina. While the fund has grown modestly over the years, it remains underfunded. A one-time legacy investment in the fund would ensure the long-term stability of prevention funding in the state with the recurring line item expanding prevention efforts.  

“This is an investment in children, an investment in the future, a future where strong families are the backbone of our society and drive our economic engine,” said Williams. “This is an investment in South Carolina’s workforce, economy and prosperity. Every dollar spent on prevention saves lives, strengthens communities and returns value to taxpayers many times over.” 

What the full press conference, including speakers Von Nessen, CEO Sue Williams, Senator Mike Reichenbach, Representative Paula Calhoon, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and SC American Academy of Pediatrics Chair Dr. Martha Edwards.