Local advocate urges Oconee schools to adopt evidence‑based child abuse prevention training

Jolie Rowe urged the Oconee County School Board on Monday to shift the burden for preventing child abuse from children to adults by strengthening district policies and mandatory staff training.

Rowe told the board she supports implementation of evidence‑based programs such as Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children and its Partner in Prevention framework, which pairs training with background checks and written policies that limit unsupervised adult–child interactions. She said those measures help adults recognize warning signs, set clear boundaries and intervene early.

Rowe cited national estimates and warned that warning signs are often missed. She said the district should adopt a clear code of conduct, require training for all staff and volunteers who interact with youth, and limit situations such as unsupervised one‑on‑one interactions and inappropriate gift giving.

Board members responded that the district is planning additional professional learning and training for staff and that one session focused on identification of trafficking and other risks will be scheduled in May. No formal board action was taken during the meeting; Rowe’s remarks were part of the public comment period.