The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

Related Photos

  • Scott Miller speaks to students at Stratton Middle School, on Wednesday afternoon, about child abuse. F. Brian Ferguson

    safety
March 17, 2013

Students learn about child abuse

By Sarah Plummer Register-Herald Reporter

Beckley-Stratton Middle School’s after-school program invited Just For Kids executive director Scott Miller to teach them more about child abuse, a topic they have already been learning and creating a video about.

While there, the students donated fleece blankets they made to Miller for Just For Kids to help comfort kids interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center.

Miller, who is also on the advisory council for the after-school program, told the students only one in 10 children feels safe enough to tell his or her story and last year in Raleigh, Fayette and Wyoming counties, Just For Kids interviewed 300 kids.

“My message for you is that if you hear about it or it is an experience that happened to you, tell someone about it. The only way you can get help is if an adult who cares about you knows about it,” he said.

A family member or teacher is the person children who have been abused most often confide in. But as of July 2012, any adult in West Virginia who is told about child sexual abuse is, by law, considered a mandated reporter, he said.

The students asked how to tell if someone is being abused.

Miller said that it is adults’ responsibility to make the call if someone truly is abused and report it to the police, but students can also be aware of the signs, for example, if someone has an unexplained injury or has a sudden change in personality or appetite.

The students asked how Just For Kids helps child victims.

Miller explained that before Just For Kids came to the area a little more than a decade ago, victims had to tell their story and be interviewed 10 or 12 times by different people. Having to share those details only once makes it a lot easier for kids, he said.

He also said Just For Kids works to raise awareness and get people thinking about child abuse.

“Many adults don’t realize what a big issue it is and how many children are abused,” he said.

The students asked who is most likely an abuser and how the abuse starts.

Miller told them 80 percent to 90 percent of abusers are “people the children know, love and respect.”

He talked about the grooming process perpetrators go through to build trust in the victim and make it harder for the victim to come forward.

Ultimately, he tried to empower the students to speak up for themselves and others.

“People should not be touching your body in ways you know is not right. It is a challenge when it is someone you love and trust, but you need to be able to say no. You should not be asked to keep secrets about your body,” he said.

The Beckley-Stratton Middle School after-school program is a 21st Century Community Learning Center and is funded by the West Virginia Department of Education through RESA 1.

The program site coordinator is Beckley-Stratton teacher Vickie Webb.

— E-mail: splummer@register-herald.com

 

Text Only
Local News
  • Raleigh grand jury hands down 89 indictments

    The mother and stepfather accused in the death of a 2-year-old boy were among the 89 indictments handed down by the Raleigh County Grand Jury.
    Brandy Smallwood, 28, and James Green, 24, both of Fairdale, were charged Feb. 10 in connection with the death of 2-year-old Graydon Morgan.
    Green was indicted for first degree murder, death of a child by child abuse, child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, child neglect resulting in death and child neglect resulting in serious bodily injury.
    The indictment against Smallwood if for death of a child by child abuse, child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, child neglect resulting in death and child neglect resulting in serious bodily injury.

    May 23, 2013

  • Memorial Day ceremonies planned in Fayetteville

    For those looking to spend their Memorial Day weekend taking part in a traditional graveside ceremony, Fayetteville offers two — a candlelight vigil and a groundbreaking for a new veterans’ memorial.

    May 23, 2013

  • Deputy lawsuit settlement reached

    A civil rights lawsuit alleging that a former Greenbrier County sheriff’s deputy had sex with a 16-year-old while “on duty” has been settled for $100,000 and dismissed with prejudice by U.S. District Court Judge Irene Berger.

    May 23, 2013

  • Lewisburg stands against power station purchase

    Local officials waded into the controversy over Monongahela Power’s proposed purchase of the Harrison Power Station on Tuesday, as Lewisburg City Council approved a resolution opposing the transaction.

    May 23, 2013

  • BPD bloodhound and Kohls team-up for kids safety event

    Friday will be a big day for Artie, Beckley Police Department’s tracking bloodhound, and kids who stop by Kohl’s Department Store.

    May 23, 2013

  • Murder trial to begin this August

    A trial for a man accused of murdering a family of four last May has been set for Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m. before Nicholas County Circuit Court Judge Gary Johnson.

    May 23, 2013

  • 052313 News Recylcing Awards 2.jpg Raleigh schools recycle almost 400 tons this year

    Raleigh County schools have taken home $12,065.63 by recycling 391.9 tons during the school year that is just ending.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Police Department to conduct DUI checkpoint

    The Beckley Police Department will conduct a DUI Sobriety Checkpoint from 9 p.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Saturday on Pinewood Drive. An alternate location will be U.S. 19. The checkpoint will be supported by roving DUI Enforcement Patrols throughout the evening and night time hours.

    May 23, 2013

  • Rt. 19 traffic held up by ‘bottomed out’ trailer

    A “bottomed out” tractor-trailer along U.S. 19 at Glen Jean Wednesday morning caused traffic delays, a dispatcher with the Fayette County Emergency Operations Center said.

    May 23, 2013

  • Battery drive to benefit tornado victims

    A local business owner is collecting supplies for Oklahoma tornado victims and is asking everyone to donate if possible.

    May 23, 2013