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Dozens marched to the statehouse Wednesday morning as Governor Sanford declared April child abuse prevention month.
Organizers are raising awareness of what some call an epidemic of child abuse across the nation.
A 2007 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found South Carolina ranks 46th in the overall well-being of children, with child abuse and neglect being a major contributing factor.
In South Carolina, nearly 60,000 children are in foster care or being looked after by a grandparent as a result.
One woman has beaten the odds with the help of community programs aimed at teaching parents to be good caregivers.
Ty Williams finds it difficult to hold back the tears as she spoke about leaving her son Steffon at the rally, "I wanted him to stay with me. At that time I had no choice, but I did have a choice which only made me stronger and determined to get my child back.”
Williams had a crack cocaine problem for 15 years. She gave birth to her son three months premature. When he was born he weighed just one pound. Williams couldn’t hold her baby until he was 3-months-old. Steffon was immediately put in foster care and Williams was inspired to change her life and get back on track.
Williams credits organizations like the Nurturing Center for helping her overcome her problems and become a better mother. After almost a year of counseling and parenting classes, Williams was able to bring her child home. Today, Steffon is a healthy 6-year-old boy.
Sue Oliver is the head of Children’s Trust Fund, Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina and Voices for South Carolina. Oliver says Williams’ case is very common, “So often people who have been abused and neglected as kids know that that’s the only way to parent and so as they raise their kids, they parent the way they were parented.”
Oliver says programs like the Nurturing Center give parents a chance to literally learn how to be a parent. She believes child abuse is problem that can be prevented and says is proof that the programs work.
A sentiment Williams agrees with, "Because it changed my entire life."
