Carrollton, GA – Carrollton City Schools has achieved “Partner in Prevention,” a nationally- recognized public standard to end child sexual abuse. The designation was awarded to Carrollton City Schools’ commitment to protecting children by training over 90 percent of its staff and volunteers on how to prevent, recognize the signs and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
“Partner in Prevention” was created as a national standard to help parents and caregivers recognize organizations who take child sexual abuse prevention seriously by implementing policy and training staff.
The training and designation award is provided by Charleston, SC-based Darkness to Light (D2L). D2L has championed the movement to end child sexual abuse since its founding in 2000 and now has education programs in 49 states and 15 countries.
“This topic is not easy to discuss,” said Mrs. Erin McGinnis, Director of Student Services for Carrollton City Schools. “The Carrollton City School system is committed to having difficult conversations and training on this subject to protect our students. This problem crosses all race, gender and socioeconomic lines. It takes a community effort to ensure we help keep our children healthy, happy and safe. Our faculty and staff have embraced and advocated for this training.”
D2L’s training curriculum points out that child sexual abuse is pervasive in a society where it is repressed and not discussed. Thousands of organizations across the U.S. and Canada are now seeking out a dialogue for prevention and they are sending parents and the community a message with the Partner in Prevention distinction.
“Emily Cole, Jill Hesterlee and Tracy Lewis-Martin from the Carroll County Child Advocacy Center were very instrumental in helping get everyone trained,” added McGinnis. “Their understanding of this from a child’s point of view was invaluable and really cemented the devastation sexual abuse causes in a child’s life. We thank them for their service to children and those who also serve children.”
Facts about Child Sexual Abuse
Crime and behavioral statistics have long cites child sexual abuse for its devastating impact on society. Statistics are startling, according to the Fourth National Incidence Study on Child Abuse and Neglect:
● 95% of abuse is by someone the child knows and trusts
● 73% of children don’t tell anyone until well after the abuse has occurred, if they tell at all
● Statistically, approximately 500,000 babies born in the U.S. each year will be sexually abused
before they reach the age of 18
● In the U.S. alone, there are an estimated 42 million adult survivors of child sexual abuse
● Child sexual abuse is linked to a host of social issues including teen pregnancy, psychiatric
disorders and substance abuse
● Child sexual abuse ranks second to murder as the most expensive victim crime in the U.S., where
costs exceed $35 billion annually
For more details, visit www.carrolltoncityschools.net or www.d2l.org .
About the Carrollton City School System: The Carrollton City School System is a Charter System as recognized by the State of Georgia Department of Education. Founded in 1886, Carrollton City Schools is a recognized educational leader with offerings including: the first state accredited STEM Program in K-3, one of only two high schools in Georgia to earn the AdvancED STEM certification, International Baccalaureate degree program, award- winning robotics teams as well as renowned programs for the arts and athletics.
Jay Goodman FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 27 January 2016 Carrollton City Schools
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