Governor Henry McMaster declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month alongside other child-serving organizations and agencies at the South Carolina State House on April 18.
S.C. Department of Social Services State Director Michael Leach, Children’s Trust CEO Sue Williams, Gov. McMaster. and S.C. State Child Advocate Amanda Whittle. pose with the governor’s proclamation.
Child Abuse Prevention Month, held annually in April, is the opportunity for organizations, governmental agencies, businesses, communities, faith-based groups and individuals to raise awareness about the importance of preventing child abuse and neglect. Children’s Trust leads the statewide campaign, this year partnering with nearly 150 organizations and agencies.
Standing with S.C. Department of Social Services State Director Michael Leach, S.C. State Child Advocate Amanda Whittle, Children’s Trust CEO Sue Williams encouraged citizens to invest in the well-being of children.
“We believe anyone can be a champion for children,” said Sue Williams, CEO of Children’s Trust. “Everyone, from state agencies to individuals, has a role in preventing abuse and neglect. We know that children are safe, and families are stronger when communities wrap support around those who need help.”
The chances of abuse and neglect decrease when children live in families and communities that can meet their physical and emotional needs. South Carolina ranks 39th in the country for child well-being, according to the Kids Count Data Book.
Research shows that adversity in a child’s life can have long-lasting negative health and social effects into adulthood. Sixty-two percent of adults in South Carolina report at least one adverse childhood experience as a child, according to research conducted by Children’s Trust.
Prevention Partners Raise Awareness Across the State
Prevention partners at Hopeful Horizons raise awareness in Beaufort with pinwheels and signs.
While Gov. McMaster officially proclaimed April as CAP Month in the state, organizations and advocates worked hard every day to make CAP Month special for their local communities.
More than 150 organizations and agencies partnered with Children’s Trust during CAP Month to raise awareness by distributing materials, issuing proclamations and hosting community events.
On March 31, people across the state participated in #WearBlueDay2023 and posted themselves sporting their best blue outfits on social media to show their support for prevention. During the rest of the month, more than 15 organizations and agencies, with Children’s Trust’s support, hosted in-person community events.
Public officials from the Upstate to the Lowcountry, issued proclamations to raise awareness about prevention and recognize the year-long work done by community-based organizations and agencies throughout the state.
Community members gathered for a workshop hosted by Macedonia Life Skills Center on April 1 in Darlington.
Here are a few highlights from the month.
The Parenting Place brought its community together for its annual Child Abuse Prevention Walk on April 15.
Children’s Place sponsored the Aiken Chamber’s monthly breakfast on April 14 in honor of CAP Month. Incoming President of United Way of Aiken County Ellen Luton spoke about recent milestones and future plans, and Children’s Place Executive Director Peggy Ford talked about the significance of child abuse and neglect awareness in Aiken County. Aiken City Council presented a proclamation declaring April CAP Month.
Children’s Trust served as the Fireflies Baseball community organization of the game on April 26 in Columbia. Staff passed out pinwheels, talked with fans about prevention and Chief Partner Engagement Officer Eric Bellamy threw the first pitch.
Throughout the month, Flourishing Families, with funding support from Children’s Trust, hosted four trainings focused on attachment-based, trauma-informed caregiving in different regions of the state.
Proclamations were issued in towns and municipalities across the state Darlington, Lexington, Aiken, Richland County, Mt. Pleasant, Greenville County and City, Columbia, Georgetown and Charleston.
Get Involved
While CAP Month is coming to a close, there are opportunities to help kids and families in our state. When we all do our part, we help each other be resilient in tough times, break generational cycles of abuse and ensure safety and stability for children at home. Learn more.
Children’s Trust thanks its lead sponsor for CAP Month, MolinaCares, for their support.
