In recognition of both Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, Beyond Abuse and the Cass Elias McMather Guardian ad Litem Program are partnering to present a one hour educational session entitled “The Winds of Change:  Talking About Child Sexual Abuse”.

This workshop will discuss the dynamics, prevalence, and warning signs of child sexual abuse.  An overview of the South Carolina Mandated Reporter law will also be given.  This workshop has been registered with the South Carolina Center for Child Care Career Development for DSS child care training requirements.

The free presentation is open to the public and will be held on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at 3pm in the American Veterans Auditorium of the Greenwood County Library.  For more information, please call Charlotte Ehney, Children’s Advocacy Program Director for Beyond Abuse, at 864-227-1623.

Jessica Bell, Sexual Assault Program Director at Beyond Abuse, recently participated in and completed Project BEST. Project BEST is a state-wide collaborative effort to use innovative community-based dissemination, training, and implementation methods to dramatically increase the capacity of every community in South Carolina to deliver evidence-supported mental health treatments (ESTs) to every abused and traumatized child who needs them. Project BEST is coordinated by the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center in Charleston, SC and the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC.  Bell completed a nine month training program to become qualified to provide Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT).  She is also now qualified to supervise other clinicians who provide TFCBT and is listed on a roster of professionals across the state of SC that are trained in providing TFCBT.  Mrs. Bell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Lander University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of South Carolina.  She recently celebrated her 10 year anniversary with Beyond Abuse.

Countybank Foundation Donates to Beyond Abuse

Greenwood, SC – The Countybank Foundation recently presented Beyond Abuse with a donation of $10,000.00.

Beyond Abuse is a non-profit organization that serves Abbeville, Greenwood and Laurens counties.  The mission of the organization is to lead the community beyond sexual violence and child abuse through awareness, advocacy and action.

Countybank’s David Tompkins presents a check to Beyond Abuse Staff, Charlotte Ehney, Director of Children’s Advocacy; Elizabeth Wise, Victim Advocate; Cathy Miller, Executive Director