Awareness key to preventing child abuse

Jill Lindenhofen, now a Concord High School junior, does not have fond memories of her elementary school years. “I was told how ugly I was, how worthless I was and that I didn't belong there, and I started to believe it,” she said. “They were chipping away little bits of me at a time.”

It's a story that opened the eye of many who attended the Prevent Child Abuse Delaware Champions for Children Breakfast. For the first time, the breakfast took place in southern Delaware as the nonprofit organization makes an effort to expand programming in Sussex County.

Every seat in the Lewes Yacht Club dining room was filled for the April 21 event, which coincided with the Pinwheels for Prevention project.

Jill said she was fortunate to have strong family support and a champion in the school's principal, Dorrell Green, who also attended the breakfast.

“He literally saved my life. One person can make a difference. You need to be someone's Mr. Green,” she told the crowd. “Never underestimate the power of a hug; it could save a life.”

Today, Lindenhofen has become an active member of the organization, volunteering to speak to students about bullying.

“The scars of bullying stay with you forever,” Jill said. “You have to let them be your battle wounds that motivate you.”

Denise Lovett, an active board member, said she was abused until she left home at the age of 18. She asked the crowd a simple question: “What if?”

She said what if her school had a safety program to teach young children the difference between good and bad touches, and what if there had been training for the adults in her life who would have recognized the changes in her personality. “And what if my mother had taken training and would have believed me?” she asked. “Those what ifs could have changed the course of events.”

Lovett said she now has a beautiful family with a loving, supportive husband. “I'm no longer a victim, I'm an advocate,” she said. “Don't leave here without determining your role in prevention.”

Abigail Rodgers Layton, president of the board, is a deputy attorney general and commander of Delaware's Child Predator Task Force specializing in internet exploitation.

Layton said she was nearing burnout in her job when she met a 10-year-old girl she called Amy. Layton said Amy was abused so much at a young age that she didn't realize it was wrong. But, it was Amy who showed Layton the power of PCAD's programs.

Layton said Amy finally came forward to report the abuse. “She took a PCAD program at school where she learned about good and bad touches and good and bad secrets. The reason she is OK today is because of that program,” she said.

The abuser is serving a long prison sentence, Layton said, and Amy has returned to family members in another state.

“When the kids see me, it's too late. This changes them for life; their innocence is lost,” she said. “But I know prevention is possible, and PCAD has the resources to save these kids and put me out of a job,” she said.

“We all need to move what if to I will. You have changed the life of a child just by being here today,” Layton said. “We need to save little girls like Amy.”

Attendees were asked to contribute to the organization to sponsor and expand children and adult training programs.

What PCAD is all about

Prevent Child Abuse Delaware has provided children's abuse prevention activities since 1978. The organization offers a variety of programs: adult training through the Stewards of Children Program; personal safety education for school children; bullying prevention; training for foster parents and childcare providers; education programs focusing on partnering with parents and strengthening families; and advocacy and public awareness to promote community involvement and support.

Go to pcadelaware.org for more information.