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	Darkness to Light Training Set for Seneca Baptist Church By Greg Oliver Upstate Today July 31, 2009 http://www.upstatetoday.com/news/2009/jul/31/darkness-light-training-set-seneca-baptist-church/ SENECA — A new round of training programs, conducted by the School District of Oconee County and designed to help prevent, recognize and react responsibly to signs of child sexual abuse, will take place Aug. 6 at Seneca Baptist Church. The 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. session, geared for representatives of local churches, recreation departments and after-school care centers, comes more than a week after State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex joined together with local education leaders and other public officials to address the issue. Sponsored by Darkness to Light (DTL), a Charleston-based non-profit dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse through education and public awareness, the programs are taking place throughout the Upstate and Lowcountry this month to coincide with DTL's "Prevent-a-Thon" event. "There is nothing more important than the safety of our children," Rex said. "We are proud of our partnership with Darkness to Light, and it is great to see so many organizations, businesses and influential people focused on the safety and security of our schools and communities." Formed by a training partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education during the past year, DTL has trained 9,100 teachers and educators throughout the state — including 50 guidance counselors two weeks ago. The monthlong "Prevent-a-Thon" program that starts next week will use widespread regional media support and volunteers to help raise awareness to prevent child sexual abuse. The goal of this year's "Prevent-a-Thon" is to educate 5,000 adults with DTL's prevention training program, called "Stewards of Children," including video instruction and interactive workbook tools enabling adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of sexual abuse of children. When it comes to training, the School District of Oconee County (SDOC) is one of the top leaders in the state. Earnestine Williams, assistant superintendent for human resources, said the school district has trained 360 employees so far — well above the 169 required to meet the state's 20-percent goal. The 360 employees include 113 bus drivers, 98 custodians, 57 district and school administrators, 57 teachers and 35 school counselors. "I think the program overall has been well received by our staff," Williams said. "Our goal is to continue to be proactive in protecting children and continuing to create safe environments for our students to learn and grow." Statistics have shown that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused prior to their 18th birthday. While one in 10 will tell an adult of their experience, the DTL Web site (www.darkness2light.org) states that individuals who are sexually abused as children are far more likely to experience psychological problems often lasting into adulthood — including Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, depression, substance abuse and relationship problems. Williams said the program features seven steps designed to assist students and educators: learn the facts and minimize the risks, minimize opportunity, including one-adult, one-child situations; talk about it, therefore breaking down barriers; stay alert, looking for signs that may not always be obvious; make a plan of where to go, whom to call and how to react; act on suspicions, knowing the future well being of the child is at stake; and get involved by financially supporting organizations that fight child sexual abuse. According to Williams, potential new hires undergo a screening process that includes interviews, SLED background checks and required viewing of the "Darkness to Light" DVD and the district's Staff Conduct Policy. She said training also emphasizes that adults must be aware of situations so no inappropriate allegations are issued against them. Only two other school districts statewide have exceeded the 360 individuals trained by the SDOC. "Our county has been very proactive in the Darkness to Light training, and now we're offering this out to the community, to those who work with children in other capacities, so they can recognize the signs of child sexual abuse and give the child the help they need," said Kay Powell, director of community services and public relations for the district. "Our goal is to prevent child sexual abuse and to protect our children."
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