Dillon Mayor Tally McColl proclaimed the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month a gathering on Friday, April 5th, at the Dillon County Courthouse hosted by the Guardian ad Litem Office.
Brandi Johnson, regional recruiter and trainer for the GAL program, said one in seven children in the United States are exposed to child abuse and neglect. She said child abuse and neglect is preventable. She thanked their partners, Pee Dee Coalition and DSS, in this fight against child abuse and neglect. She said they can make a difference one child at a time. She said a nurturing Guardian ad Litem can impact a child. Dillon County serves 55 children through the Guardian ad Litem program, but only has nine volunteers. She said they need more volunteers.
Mayor McColl said this was a very important issue not only for the City of Dillon, but the entire community. He thanked all of those involved in protecting children. He said the children are our future, and it is important to protect them.
After the comments were concluded, Mayor McColl signed the proclamation surrounded by those in attendance. The proclamation reads as follows:
Proclamation
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Dillon, South Carolina
WHEREAS, South Carolina’s future prosperity and quality of life depend on the healthy development of the more than 1.1 million children residing in the diverse communities across our state; and 7,702 in Dillon County.
WHEREAS, preventing child abuse and neglect must be a priority that requires individuals, families, child-serving organizations, schools, faith-based groups, businesses, government agencies, and civic leaders to support the physical, emotional, social, and educational well-being of all children; and
WHEREAS, child abuse is a serious public health issue with wide-ranging societal consequences, as data show the link between the abuse and neglect of children and a wide range of costly medical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues into adulthood; and
WHEREAS, parents and caregivers who have a support system of family and friends, know where to find public resources, and understand how to remain resilient in challenging times are best equipped to provide safe, nurturing environments for their children; and
WHEREAS, statewide and community prevention programs serve as proven and effective ways to reduce child abuse and neglect no matter the geographic region, race or ethnicity, or economic status; and
WHEREAS, in fiscal year 2022-2023, there were 8,304 founded Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations with 14,711 children in South Carolina, and 76 investigations with 142 children in Dillon County.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Tally McColl, Mayor of Dillon in the great State of South Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
throughout the town of Dillon. I encourage all South Carolinians to dedicate themselves to protecting the quality of life for every child.
PHOTO GALLERY
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