Lowcountry’s Leading Child Advocacy Center Joins National Effort to Increase Awareness of Child Abuse Prevention in April

Charleston, S.C, March 31, 2017 – While the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center focuses on prevention year-round, during the month of April, the organization will participate in several events in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April was first declared Child Abuse Prevention Month by presidential proclamation in 1983. Since then, April has been a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse. Studies show nearly 6,000 children are physically or sexually abused or sexually assaulted in Charleston and Berkeley counties combined, each year.

“During the month, the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center plans to raise awareness that child abuse is a grown-up problem, and that adults are the key to successful prevention and treatment,” says Dr. Carole Swiecicki, executive director and CEO of Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center. “Through these events the center hopes to give Charleston residents the knowledge and tools to keep children safe, and raise awareness about the issue of abuse and the healing resources available at the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center.”

Pinwheel City

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg has announced Charleston as a “Pinwheel City” in April. The pinwheel is a national symbol of child abuse prevention. To kick-off the month, the center together with the City of Charleston and other statewide organizations, will hold a press conference announcing Charleston as a “Pinwheel City,” April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and information on child abuse in the Lowcountry area. There will also be a ceremonial planting of “Pinwheel Gardens” in Charleston and surrounding communities.

Event Details

Press Conference with City of Charleston, the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, Department of Social Services and the Children’s Trust of SC

• Monday, April 3, 2017
• 12:00pm
• Colonial Lake, 46-54 Ashley Ave., Charleston SC

Community Event

The center will also be raising awareness about the issue of child abuse through hosting family-friendly events during the month of April.

Event Details

Movie Night will feature family fun including face painting and carnival-style games and culminate with the showing of “Aladdin” on the Jumbo-tron at sundown

• Friday, April 21, 2017
• 6:00pm
• MUSC Health Stadium, 1990 Daniel Island Dr., Charleston SC
• Free

To learn more about how you can help prevent child abuse, visit www.deenortoncenter.org.