Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Seminar Held in Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE--Representatives from numerous county agencies attended a child sexual abuse prevention training session held March 23, 2010, at the Empowerment Center in Cambridge, Md. Hosted by the Pine Street Committee, Dorchester Elks Lodge 223 and County Councilman William Nichols, the meeting centered on a presentation titled Stewards of Children by the international nonprofit organization Darkness to Light.

Cambridge City Commissioner Donald Sydnor (Ward 2), bringing greetings from Mayor Victoria Stanley and the City Council, welcomed the representatives and thanked them for their endeavors with the youth.

PSC President Jimmy Cornish also welcome those attending and said, "I hope from this that we can all work together to protect our children and keep them on the right road. Anytime that we can be any assistance to any of you, please contact us."

Harford County Director of Counseling for Family and Children Services Jennifer Redding then conducted the workshop using a Stewards of Children video presentation. Workbooks and other informational items were provided for the representatives.

Among the many points covered were that steps could be taken to protect children from abuse,what to do if a abuse does occur and what types of questions to ask.

During the session, Jennifer Redding said, "One of the most profound things that affects whether a child grows into a healthier child or a healthy adult after sexual abuse is that someone believed them. It helps them to recover."

Those attending found the work session enlightening.

Detective Jessica Harper of the Cambridge City Police said, "I think this has been a good reminder. It helps the community to come together and makes us realize that we do have this problem in our community even though it is a small community."

She continued, "We can stick together and help these kids and hopefully they can overcome some of the obstacles that are put in front of them."

"It's a shame that everybody in the county can't attend something like this. Knowledge is power," said Detective Sgt. Michael Rickwood of the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office.

Octavene Saunders of the PSC strongly encouraged the agencies to band together to host a follow-up community information workshop.

More information on Darkness to Light can be found on the Internet at www.darkness2light.org, or by writing to Darkness to Light, 7 Radcliffe Street, Ste. 200, Charleston, SC 29403.