COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The nonprofit Children’s Trust of South Carolina hosted its annual event Thursday morning at the State House recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. According to organization leaders, over 2.5 million adults have experienced an adverse situation as a child — including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, household mental illness, or substance abuse, or negative affects from parental divorce or separation. The group aims to keep kids safe by preventing abuse or neglect from ever happening. “By investing in prevention, we are not just addressing problems, we are building stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger South Carolina,” says Rep. Carla Schuessler. The organization finds that fewer adverse childhood experiences can lead to millions of dollars in annual economic benefits for the state — by lowering medical costs and workplace absenteeism. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette says she and Governor Henry McMaster’s executive budget will request $5 million from the General Assembly go to the organization to help prevent child abuse and neglect. “Be an advocate, be the eyes and ears of the little ones who cannot always speak for themselves,” says Evette. “Sometimes behind closed doors that’s when people are really struggling, and as folks in a position to help, what are we prepared to do to reach out and say, ‘You’re struggling. How can I help?” says Senator Mike Reichenbach. Children’s Trust CEO Sue Williams believes working on the front end creates resiliency and alleviates stress on the back end. “We get in before the child abuse happens. So we do that by providing parent education programs. Some parents just don’t know what to do, maybe they were poorly parented or they’re very young and they don’t know, so we walk alongside them and we give them opportunities to show resilience and build their skill sets so that when things are stressed they’re not reacting,” she says. For more information on Children’s Trust of SC click here. Categories: Local News, News Tags: Carla Schuessler, Children’s Trust of SC, Mike Reichenbach, pamela evette, Sue Williams ...read more read less