Hope Haven of the Lowcountry, Inc.

Few of us can forget one of our community's greatest tragedies. Eight first and second grade students—our sons and grandsons—were sexually molested by a trusted music teacher at their Beaufort County elementary school. Immediately after the abuse surfaced, the first two victims were taken to Charleston to be interviewed by authorities. The boys, scared and far from home, would not talk. It wasn't until they were brought back to Beaufort and interviewed at Hope Haven by one of the professionally trained, compassionate forensic interviewers that their story unfolded and prosecutors were able to build a strong case that led to the molester's imprisonment. No other agency in Beaufort County provides Hope Haven's services. Only Hope Haven: • helps law enforcement and prosecutors incarcerate child abusers by conducting age-appropriate, compassionate forensic interviews and medical exams on children. • provides the extensive trauma focused counseling for victims of child abuse and rape that is critical to healing. • walks alongside victims' families during the investigation and prosecution process. Hope Haven prevents child abuse and sexual violence by: • training all new Beaufort County School District teachers in child sexual abuse prevention. • increases the number of criminal incarcerations by training law enforcement on South Carolina's new anonymous rape reporting law so that victims of sexual violence can report the crime without fear. • stops rape before it happens by changing the culture of violence with middle and high school boys • prevents child abuse and neglect by implementing programs for families that build protective factors to grow strong and healthy families. Hope Haven has achieved the highest level of accreditation from the National Children's Alliance as a fully accredited Children's Advocacy Center. We receive highly competitive grants from foundations such as Duke Endowment and the Ms. Foundation for Women. Today, demand for Hope Haven's specialized services continues to rise. Additional staff is necessary to ensure that children and adult victims heal from the wounds of child abuse and sexual assault. Your investment in Hope Haven today helps innocent victims of unspeakable tragedies and works to create a future free of child abuse and rape. Let's put an end to child abuse and rape.