Congratulations to the January 2016 graduates of Beyond Abuse’s strenuous 25 hour training program.
L to R Back Row – Zach Bowens, Leanna Riddle, Jamie Teague; L to R Front Row – Brittany Bush, Brittany Holbrook, and Stefanie Payne; Not Pictured: Susan Clarke
The Advocacy Club held it’s first annual Donor recognition luncheon on Tues. January 26, 2016 at the Inn On the Square in Greenwood, SC. The “Wall of Honor” plaque was unveiled honoring donors throughout the community for their financial support of the programs and services offered by the agency. Pictured below are some of the attendees at the luncheon.
The National Children’s Alliance (NCA) and the FBI signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help ensure that victimized children involved in federal investigations have access to a safe, child-focused interview environment and the critical treatment they need to heal. Dave Betz has been reaching out to all Children’s Advocacy Centers regarding their participation in the MOU, assessing their ability and willingness to assist the FBI. He is working region by region to gather this information. We’d like to thank the CACs of South Carolina for responding swiftly and supportively just before the holidays! Beyond Abuse has agreed to participate in this effort.
President Obama has signed legislation that will help states fund sexual abuse educational programs
Gillibrand, Heller and Feinstein’s Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Act provides federal funding for schools to develop and implement or expand these programs for students, parents, and guardians. This bill funds school programs that provide age-appropriate lessons to primary and secondary school students on how to recognize and safely report sexual abuse. Twenty-six states, including South Carolina, have passed a version of “Erin’s Law,” legislation that requires public schools to provide child sexual abuse prevention education to students and professional development for school personnel. The Congressional action enables states to use some of the education funds they receive from the federal government for Child Sexual Abuse prevention education.
Beyond Abuse currently provides age appropriate education programs for all schools in our three county area that meet the criteria set forth in SC law.
Please contact the agency at 864 227 1623 if you are interested in learning more about the educational programs provided by Beyond Abuse.
Wishing a safe & healthy New Year to all!
Did you know January is Stalking Awareness Month?
Visit stalkingawarenessmonth.org for more information.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, each year, an average of approximately 63,000 children are victims of substantiated or indicated sexual abuse. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that one in nine girls and one in 53 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault at the hands of an adult.
The House bill is a federal version of Erin’s Law, named after advocate Erin Merryn, a member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau and a survivor of child sexual abuse. Merryn and others advocated have successfully lobbied 26 states to pass Erin’s Laws. In the remaining states, the cost of such programs is often the biggest roadblock. The Congressional action enables states to use some of the education funds they receive from the federal government for this purpose.
“The passing of this bill it will make passing Erin’s Law in the remaining 24 states happen that much faster allowing millions more children to be educated on how to speak up instead of stay silent,” said Merryn.
Rebecca O’Connor, RAINN’s vice president for public policy said: “No child or parent should bear the pain of these unconscionable crimes. We are grateful to Congress for authorizing the use of federal dollars to support the creation and implementation of programs that will help stop childhood sexual abusers in their tracks and support those who are victimized.”
The provisions, which passed as part of S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, enjoy strong bipartisan and bicameral support. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Dean Heller (R-NV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Reps. Katherine Clark (D-MA), and Joe Heck (R-NV) circulated a letter to their Senate and House colleagues urging them to include the provisions. RAINN also submitted a letter of support co-signed by two dozen national and state advocates, including Merryn, the National Center for Victims of Crime; Darkness to Light; the National Children’s Alliance; Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment (PAVE); RISE, and the Joyful Heart Foundation.
The measures were adopted with support of House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Joe Kline (R-MN) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ranking Member Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA).
“The Senate has recognized the critical importance of teaching our children an age-appropriate understanding of sexual abuse – both how to recognize it and how to safely report it,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Funding for Erin’s Law programs will give schools the resources they need to teach children these necessary safety skills. It fills an important gap in our prevention and awareness work, and it will help make sure that schools are able to provide parents, guardians, and school personnel with the tools they need to help prevent and respond to child sexual abuse.”
Said Senator Dean Heller. “Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in an environment free from abuse, which is why I am proud to work with Senators Gillibrand and Feinstein on this important issue.”
Rep. Clark said: “It is critical that every parent, teacher, and student knows how to prevent, recognize and report sexual abuse, and I am very pleased to see my Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Act pass the House as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act,” said Clark. “This bill is an important step forward in giving school districts the tools that they need to keep our children safe.”
About RAINN
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization and was named one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” by Worth magazine. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. In 2015, the Online Hotline expanded to offer services in Spanish at rainn.org/es. The hotlines have helped more than two million people since 1994. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. For more information about RAINN, please visit rainn.org.
Michael Cogdill, with News Channel Four, spoke at the Dec. 3rd, 2015 Show Your Strength Greenwood breakfast. Many thanks to Michael for increasing awareness of Domestic Violence by sharing his personal story of growing up in a Domestic Violence home.
Pictured with Michael are Cathy Miller, Executive Director with Beyond Abuse and Alice Hodges, Executive Director with Meg’s House who agencies are collaborating to engage men in prevention of violence against women and children.
Show Your Strength Greenwood’s next breakfast meeting will be held on Thursday Dec. 3rd, 2015 at 7:30 am in Founders Hall of St. Mark UMC located at 550 Hwy 72. The focus topic will be Domestic Violence. Guest speaker will be Michael Cogdill with WYFF News 4, an award winning journalist as well as a sought-after speaker and writer. Michael will be sharing his own story of domestic violence.
Michael was born in Asheville, North Carolina, the son of a truck driver and a mill worker. He is extremely proud of his working-people roots, drawing on their deep wisdom and life lessons each day. Michael is a cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a degree in communications, emphasis on the liberal arts.
His Southern novel, She-Rain, launched in 2010 to broad acclaim. Michael is also the writer of a hard-cover children’s book, Cracker the Crab and the Sideways Afternoon, a little beach tale telegraphing the power of small acts of love. Michael is currently at work on a new Southern novel, For The Love of Honeysuckle Road.
Michael’s awards includes 29 Emmys and the National Edward R. Murrow for a broad range of achievement, from live reporting to long-form storytelling. His honors include multiple anchor of the year and journalist of the year awards.
Michael’s television credits include not only WYFF4, but also CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, and The Today Show. His interview credits are about as varied as you can get: The Reverend Billy Graham, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Abby Hoffman, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator John McCain, Howard K. Smith, James Brown, and countless eminent members of Congress along with other key newsmakers around the country. His coverage credits include Presidents and Vice Presidents of the United States and major figures in entertainment.
Interested men in the community are invited to attend this free event. Megs House and Beyond Abuse, are co-sponsoring this campaign to Engage Men and Boys in the prevention of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. The goal of the program is to create an active forum for sharing information and ideas that will engage and educate men in the community and hopefully inspire them to become active advocates to end domestic violence and sexual assault.
Please rsvp by Monday Nov 30 to 227-1623 or 227-1890 or email director@beyondabuse.info
*Megs House offers emergency shelter and supportive services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence in McCormick, Edgefield, and Greenwood Counties.
* Beyond Abuse provides support and services to victims of child abuse and sexual assault in Greenwood, Abbeville, and Laurens Counties.
Youth from Gethsemane collected and donated supplies to agency on 11 27 15. They also took a tour and learned about the services provided. The group is led by Heather Nelson. Thank you girls! 
Beyond Abuse is a 501(c)(3) organization that is working to eradicate sexual violence and child abuse in our community. Our community support is vital, and our partnerships are strong. We are making a difference, thanks to you.
Greenwood:
(864) 227-1623
contact@beyondabuse.info