Programs & Services
Edisto Children’s Center
The Edisto Children’s Center provides a multidisciplinary approach to child abuse and neglect.
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Types of Child Abuse and Neglect
The Goals of the ECC are to:
- prevent further trauma to the child that may be caused by continuous contacts with different community professionals.
- provide services to families to help them regain maximum functioning all aimed at protecting the child from further harm and trauma.
- maintain open communication and case coordination among professionals and agencies involved in their case.
- gather information that may be useful in criminal and civil proceedings.
- hold offenders accountable by improving prosecution of child abuse cases through our multi-disciplinary approach.

We are now a Fully Accredited Child Advocacy Center with the National Children’s Alliance!
Child Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse of a child is inappropriately exposing or subjecting the child to sexual contact, activity, or behavior. Sexual abuse includes oral, anal, genital, buttock, and breast contact. It also includes the use of objects for vaginal or anal penetration, fondling, or sexual stimulation. This sexual activity may be with a boy or a girl and is done for the benefit of the offender. In addition, exploitation of a child for pornographic purposes, making a child available to others as a child prostitute, and stimulating a child with inappropriate solicitation, exhibitionism, and erotic material are also forms of sexual abuse. www.childhelp.org
What Are the Effects of Child Sexual Abuse?
The effects of sexual abuse extend far beyond childhood. Sexual abuse robs children of their childhood and creates a loss of trust, feelings of guilt and self-abusive behavior. It can lead to antisocial behavior, depression, identity confusion, loss of self-esteem and other serious emotional problems. It can also lead to difficulty with intimate relationships later in life. The sexual victimization of children is ethically and morally wrong
Child Physical Abuse
Physical abuse of a child is any non-accidental injury to a child. This includes hitting, kicking, slapping, shaking, burning, pinching, hair pulling, biting, choking, whipping. Physical abuse is the most visible form of child maltreatment. Physical abuse results from inappropriate or excessive physical trauma.
Neglect
Failure to provide for a child’s physical needs. This includes lack of supervision, inappropriate housing or shelter, inadequate provision of food and water, inappropriate clothing for season or weather, abandonment, denial of medical care and inadequate hygiene.
What to do if you think someone is abusing a child?
- Provide a safe environment (be comforting, welcoming, and a good listener)
- Listen carefully
- Be supportive, not judgmental
- Do not investigate
- REPORT IT!!! Anyone can and should report suspected child abuse and neglect. Protecting children is everyone’s job whether you know the child or not. Do not assume that someone else will intervene. People are often concerned that their suspicions will be unfounded but it does not matter. Reporting suspected abuse may save a child’s life.
Report any suspected abuse to Law Enforcement or the Department of Social Services, or call (803) 534-2272.
Victim Services Programs
CASA’s Victims Services include the following programs, our Shelter Program, Sexual Assault Program, and Community Domestic Violence Program. Each of the these programs aim to provide holistic services to individuals and families who have been affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.
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Shelter Services
For more information on shelter services, email info@casafamilyservices.com, or call (803) 531-6211.
Community Violence
If you have been assaulted by your spouse or partner, whether it has been one time or ten, you need a safety plan to leave your abusive environment.
- Gather together important documents, such as your marriage license, birth certificates for you and your children, car registration, personal identification, checkbooks, social security cards, etc.
- Hide an extra set of car and house keys either outside or at a neighbor’s home whom you trust.
- Pack a suitcase for you and your children and store it with a neighbor or friend whom you trust.
- Contact CASA/Family Systems to get help in obtaining emergency shelter services at our 24 hour hotline — (803) 534-2272.
Services include:
- 24 hour crisis counseling
- Individual counseling
- Medical advocacy
- Information and referral
- Criminal Justice advocacy
- Support groups
- Temporary Emergency Shelter
- Assistance with Orders of Protections
Sexual Assault
Sexual Violence refers to crimes which includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. The perpetrator may be a stranger, acquaintance, friend, family member, or intimate partner. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers agree that all forms of sexual violence harm the individual, the family unit, and society and that much work remains to be done to enhance the criminal justice response to these crimes.
Sexual Assault covers a wide range of unwanted behaviors – up to but not including penetration – that are attempted or completed against a victim’s will or when a victim cannot consent because of age, disability, or the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sexual assault may involve actual or threatened physical force, use of weapons, coercion, intimidation, or pressure and may include:
- Intentional touching of the victim’s genitals, anus, groin, or breasts
- Voyeurism
- Exposure to exhibitionism
- Undesired exposure to pornography
- Public display of images that were taken in a private context or when the victim was unaware
Rape is nonconsensual oral, anal, or vaginal penetration of the victim by body parts or objects using force, threats of bodily harm, or by taking advantage of a victim who is incapacitated or otherwise incapable of giving consent. Incapacitation may include mental or cognitive disability, self-induced or forced intoxication, status as minor, or any other condition defined by law that voids an individual’s ability to give consent.
To report sexual assault, please call (803) 534-2272.
Education & Outreach Programs
CASA’s Education and Outreach Services consist of the following prevention programs, Alternative Methods, Community Advocacy Program, and Strengthening Families. Theses programs are aim to provide prevention programs to our community and families in an effort to reduce unhealthy interpersonal behaviors. Strengthening Families Program is an evidenced based parenting program aimed at improving social competencies, strengthening parental bonds, reducing problem behaviors, improving family relationships and parental skills.
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Community Advocacy Program
For more information, email info@casafamilysystems.com, or call (803) 535-3351.
Alternative Methods Program
For more information on Alternative Methods, email info@casafamilysystems.com, or call (803) 535-3351.
Strengthening Family Program
For more information on the Strengthening Family Program, email info@casafamilysystems.com, or call (803) 535-3351.