Prevention Is Possible | Reflecting on Child Abuse Prevention Month

Every April, Thornwell stands with our partners across South Carolina to raise awareness during Child Abuse Prevention Month. The blog below, originally shared by Children’s Trust of South Carolina, reminds us that protecting children and supporting families is a year-round mission.

Every April, we stand with our partners across South Carolina to raise awareness of what it takes to prevent child abuse and neglect during Child Abuse Prevention Month. As this month ends, it’s important to remember that keeping kids safe and helping families thrive is not just a one-month mission. It’s a year-round commitment—one that requires all of us.

Throughout April, we wore blue, planted pinwheel gardens, hosted events and raised awareness about child abuse prevention. We stood with advocates at the statehouse and celebrated communities that issued proclamations and shared prevention messaging materials. We share some of those highlights below.

These efforts are powerful. They spotlight an issue that too often hides in the shadows and can be too painful to discuss. They remind us that every child deserves to grow up safe, loved and supported.

However, we know that change doesn’t happen in 30 days. Building strong families and safe communities takes continuous work—at home, in our neighborhoods, schools, faith groups and community organizations, with our policy makers and every part of our society.

Prevention is proactive.

It means offering parenting support before a crisis occurs, strengthening resources to ensure families have access to basic needs like food and housing, and fostering an environment where asking for help is seen as a strength, not a failure.

S.C. Department of Social Services Interim Director Tony Catone said, “When families receive the services, support and resources they need – when they need them—they can overcome adversity, they can flourish, and they can build resilience, both within their families and their communities. And that is why we all must actively work to remove the stigma around seeking help and support.”  

Prevention is personal.

It means checking in on your neighbors, volunteering, mentoring a young person, and advocating for policies that invest in children and families. It means believing every child and every family deserves support, not judgment.

As South Carolina’s former State Child Advocate and Director of the Department of Children’s Advocacy, Amanda Whittle reminded us, “All of us, as individuals, as family members, and as members of a community, can be part of a strong social support network that provides stable, positive relationships for children and the people around them. And that is what prevents child abuse and neglect. One caring adult can change a child’s story. May we challenge ourselves to be the kind of people that children can count on to make a difference.” 

Prevention is possible.

When communities come together, when we prioritize connection over isolation, and when we make child and family well-being a shared responsibility, we can—and do—prevent abuse before it happens.

S.C. Representative Paula Rawl Calhoun added, “Thank YOU to the many who work daily to improve the lives of children in South Carolina. I pray that when the knock on the door comes, families open the doors of their hearts and minds to hear the message that can improve the lives of their children. With compassion, care and such programs, we have pathways to lift families and build foundations for a brighter future.”

We are very thankful to those who stand with us for prevention and gave us their voices in April. While April may be over, the children in our communities still need us. The parents navigating stress still need us. The families working hard to stay strong still need us.

Let’s carry the spirit of Child Abuse Prevention Month forward into every month of the year. Every child deserves a great childhood—365 days a year.

This post was originally published by Children’s Trust of South Carolina. We are proud to share their message as part of our shared commitment to children and families.