Plenty of help is available, child advocates say

Children's advocates say parents and witnesses to child abuse have numerous local outlets for help or to intervene before a family situation turns deadly.

"When children are injured, it is adults meeting their own needs at the expense of a child," said Libby Ralston, executive director of the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center.

Ralston's comments came after the Charleston area was rocked recently by three tragic instances of child endangerment -- a 3-year-old who was shot in the leg while in his mother's care and charges of homicide by child abuse in the cases of 2-year-old Rodricus Williams and 9-month old Andrew Gordon.

Ralston said there are numerous options available for adults who witness abuse or those who might be involved in a situation they wish to get out of or are in fear of escalating. For starters, she said, the state law covering reporting child abuse allows that to be done anonymously.

She also listed three steps that need to be overcome by adults or anyone who suspects a child is endangered. They are knowing what to do and where to report their suspicions; fear of not wanting to get an adult in trouble; and fear of repercussions against them for making a report.

If an adult is scared, "imagine being a child in that situation," Ralston said.

Another option for anyone who wants to talk through their feelings or suspicions is the Trident United Way's 2-1-1 Hotline that is staffed around the clock, seven days a week.

Sally Burnett, Trident United Way volunteer coordinator, said one purpose is to help defuse a situation that potentially could turn harmful if conditions escalate "so that people can talk through their feelings instead of acting on them."

Officials said there are many indicators that something is amiss with a child, though the presence of those indicators does not necessarily mean maltreatment has occurred.

Some of the conditions to look out for include an unexplained physical injury, a wariness of adults' physical contact, fear of going to certain places and complaints of soreness or moving uncomfortably, among other possibilities.

Reporting suspected child abuse

Numerous sources in the Lowcountry are available to report instances of suspected child abuse. If the child is in immediate danger, officials stress to call 911 and get rescue authorities involved.

In addition to police and sheriff's departments, other local options include:

The Department of Social Services in your county: Berkeley 719-1158; Charleston 953-9422; Dorchester 821-0444. If you live outside the Lowcountry, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-4-A-CHILD.

Other Contacts:

The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center

1061 King St. | Charleston, SC 29403 | 723-3600

Dorchester Children's Center

303 E. Richardson Ave. | Summerville, SC 29483-6314

875-1551

Parents Anonymous of SC

1285 Ave. G | North Charleston, SC 29405-1911 | 747-0480

211 Hotline

PO Box 63305, North Charleston, SC 29419

Direct: 566-7185 | Business: 747-3007 | Fax: 566-7193

211volunteer@tuw.org