Today marks the first day of month long prevent-a-thon for Darkness to Light, a lowcountry organization dedicated to promoting awareness of child sexual abuse.

The numbers are shocking. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthdays. 90 percent of sexual abuse is committed by someone the child knows and 90 percent of the children never tell.

Three hours of Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children training course is teaching adults about prevention and response to children and sexual abuse.

"Sexual abuse is any sexual act between an adult and a minor or between two minors, when one party exerts power over the other," said Darkness to Light’s Libby Campbell-Turner.

The power lies with parents and knowing it’s their responsibility to know what to do.

"If your child broke her arm, you would know which doctor you would go to, you were going to have your insurance card in your pocket. Be prepared in the same way with child sexual abuse," said Turner.

Parents are not the only ones with the responsibilities.

"A church that went through our training a couple years ago, and their minister, when he councils with children, they have rocking chairs on their porch and that’s where they go, so situations like that can make a tremendous difference," said Turner.

It’s a difference that could have a profound effect on a child's life.

Sexual abuse can lead to several emotional consequences including drug and alcohol use, substance abuse, suicide, eating disorders and depression.

Be sure to join us on Thursday, August 7 from 8 o'clock to 9 p.m. for our Darkness to Light, Childhood stories special. We are holding a town hall style meeting with eight panelists to answer questions about childhood sexual abuse, prevention, education and community involvement.

For more information about Darkness to Light, click here.