(Columbia) April 8, 2003 - At the Statehouse on Tuesday Governor Mark Sanford proclaimed April Child Abuse Prevention Month in South Carolina.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The group Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina was on hand in Columbia to bring some attention to the issue. They say 35,000 cases of child abuse were officially reported last year, and 25 children died in the state as a direct result of abuse or neglect.

Lt. Mark Hammond of the Aiken County Sheriff's Department said he's learned through his work that this kind of thing happens in every type of family regardless of class, ethnicity or social standing, "I think sometimes it's portrayed as a low income thing. It's not. We'll see children in low income neighborhoods, and we'll see kids with the best opportunities being just as abused."

The proclamation coincides with the release of the Child Fatality Advisory Committee's report. That group is recommends stronger child endangerment laws, consistent sentencing for abusers, laws forcing parents to better secure firearms and programs to help parents keep their children safe.

by Scott Hawkins

posted 12:40pm by Chris Rees