Stop Child Abuse and Neglect: Protecting Children through Knowledge

Impact Partner Spotlight:

Stop Child Abuse and Neglect -

March 16, 2021. 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​SCAN's lessons operate with a goal of educating children to recognize abusive situations, disclose these situations to trusted adults to mitigate harm and know that abuse is never their fault. Children have a right to feel safe, and SCAN aims to arm children with the ​​​​​​​personal safety skills to help them stay out of harm's way. 

Without a safe start, children are less likely to know success, and the cycle of pain is more likely to continue. Safe children grow up healthier, are more prepared to become successful learners and productive workers, and build better relationships at home, with peers and within the community.

What first drew you into the work of SCAN?

Through my several years as a social worker for Racine County, I often heard about the SCAN program's work of going into schools and talking to kids about physical abuse. As an initial assessment worker, I worked with children on the intervention side — but I had always wanted to be on the prevention side. SCAN's work of providing children a stable structure from the start definitely piqued my interest, especially when I learned it provided education to kids as young as four.

I was greatly honored to accept a position at SCAN last year. I'm now working virtually with sixth grade classrooms, where one of the lessons I teach is the importance of internet safety — an especially urgent skillset during these times of virtual learning.

How has SCAN adapted over time — whether that’s in the last year due to the pandemic, or since its start as an organization?

SCAN has launched some creative ways to continue with our mission, such as by providing virtual and recorded lessons to schools within Racine and Kenosha Counties. We also held our 10th annual Cones for Kids fundraiser virtually last year, which had a great turnout.

SCAN was also able to promote Child Abuse Awareness month through social media by encouraging people throughout the community to show their support by decorating with pinwheels and blue lights.

Since October, the SCAN program has presented to Racine parochial and Kenosha Unified School students. We have received many compliments on our adaptation to a virtual program, which continues to empower students with the messages of how to recognize abuse, that it is never a child's fault if abuse is happening to them and how to ask for help from a grownup. 

Can you share a story about a moment you saw your work leave a positive impact in someone’s life?

Teachers, counselors and other agencies have shared that the SCAN program is more important than ever because when students are learning at home, that could mean they're trapped with they're abusers. Knowledge is power, and children knowing what abuse is and who to tell is the first step to keeping them safe.

What is some of the impact SCAN has brought to the community in its lifespan?

SCAN has improved children’s knowledge about what abuse is, what to do if it happens, how to get help and their freedom from blame. We have educated the community about child abuse prevention, the signs of abuse, reporting requirements and ways to support abused children. And we've built an environment where the stigma associated with abuse is reduced, making it easier for children to find help.

Our goal is that all maltreated children will immediately disclose their abuse to mitigate the negative consequences and increase their ability to become successful learners and adults.

DeAnn Hicks is the SCAN program coordinator. To support SCAN's work as Child Abuse Awareness Month (April) approaches, plan to wear blue on April 1, and, make a $1 donation to Milaeger's on April 11 for a pinwheel you can present for $1 off a Bloody Mary or lemonade. To learn more about SCAN's work, visit its website, Facebook or Instagram.