Advocates Push For Releasing Names Of Suspected Child Abusers

Child advocates want the state to make its list of suspected child abusers open to the public.

The state Department of Social Services maintains a list of about 37,000 names of people who judges or social services investigators say probably abused or neglected a child.

But most parents can't use it to check out their neighbors, coaches or teachers.

Denyse Williams with the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina said individuals on the Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect have not necessarily been convicted of a crime, making it difficult to grant public access to the list.

Paula Owens, an Upstate child advocate, said that means admitted child abusers can keep their secret to themselves.