Child abuse prevention is a year-round issue

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month; it is a time when child abuse is recognized as a problem across the nation and in our communities. To begin to reduce the incidence of abuse in our world, we must first acknowledge that abuse is happening in every neighborhood, including here on Daniel Island. Right now, one in five girls and one in 10 boys are sexually abused before they turn 18. And one in six children will be physically abused before age 18. We must also acknowledge that child abuse prevention does not stop after April 30 – it is a year-round issue. 

 

For over 30 years, the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center has been working to prevent abuse, protect children and heal families. And though no family is immune to child abuse, each of us can make a difference to prevent abuse before it happens. We say often at Dee Norton that child abuse is an adult problem. And each of us has a role to play.

 

What can you do this April to prevent abuse and protect the children of Daniel Island? You can:

 

● Educate yourself. Knowledge is a good first step to prevention. Follow us on social media or visit our website to learn more. 

 

● Talk with your children and show them no topic is off-limits. Start by teaching your children correct names for body parts. Talk about body boundaries. Establish house rules and consequences for phone and social media use. Talk about who to turn to when they have a concern. Start early and continue with developmentally appropriate information through the teen years.

 

● Model the relationships that you wish to see in your child. Hearing aggressive language and seeing hostile behavior can be frightening to a child. We want our children to be safe and learn that violence to them and/or from them is never acceptable. 

 

● Speak up. If something does not feel right, trust your gut, and if you see something, say something. You could be the difference in a child’s life.

 

● Take the pledge. I’ve taken the pledge to prevent child abuse this April. Please join me. Visit deenortoncenter.org.

 

If you need assistance or guidance, the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center is a resource that is right up the road from Daniel Island. The location at 677 Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant was intentional. It was built to provide another place of prevention, protection and healing to the Lowcountry that went past the peninsula. 

 

Abuse and trauma know no color, gender, or financial status and the center is for all children and families. Together we can help prevent abuse before it happens.

 

For more information, visit deenortoncenter.org.