Lebanon Special School District presents a workshop on child sexual abuse called “Darkness to Light – Stewards of Children.”

“It’s not a topic that we want to think about or discuss, but it is real,” said Beth Petty, director of the LSSD Family Resource Center.

Petty has attended the training three times, once when it was provided to staff of

LSSD, once through Wilson County Parents as Teachers, and last year, when the FRC presented the workshop to parents and community leaders.

“The first time I attended the training, I knew that child sexual abuse was real. I knew that I needed to report suspected abuse. I knew I would want to protect any child in this situation, but what really impacted me were the faces and stories of adult survivors of child sexual abuse,” Petty said. “When I saw the heart-wrenching video of former Miss America, Marilyn Van Derbur, it was a visual reminder that child sexual abuse can happen to anyone in any economic or ethnic group. I knew that, but hearing her say that she was leading two lives, one on the camera where everything in her world appeared picture perfect, and one of shame and secrecy where it seemed that there was no one to help her in her own home, really made me stop and wonder how many children in Wilson County are living through abuse, and how many of our adults never told their secret and are living with shame and guilt.

“Miss America is a as good as it gets – lots of little girls dream about being Miss America and wearing a crown. How could this happen to her?” Petty asked.

Her father from the time she was 5 until she turned 18 sexually abused Van

Derbur. She said, “One thing I knew as a child is that there was no hope for me of it stopping.” Of her mother, Van Derbur said, “I knew she would never, ever come to help me. I believe she made a choice and she didn’t choose me.”

At age 40, Van Derbur went into counseling to deal with what had happened to her.

Deb Daugherty, executive director of the 15th Judicial Child Advocacy Center

(CAC), which serves children in Wilson, Trousdale, Smith, Macon and Jackson Counties who have been physically and or/sexually abused, will facilitate the workshop.

Their mission is to reduce the trauma of child abuse and facilitate the healing process. The child is interviewed about the abuse at the center, by a trained forensic interviewer supported by a team of professionals. After the interview, counseling is advised so the healing process may begin in the child.

The CAC also provides child abuse prevention education to the community.

“We first opened this workshop to the public in February 2011. At that first workshop, over 60 people attended. Typically, we target parents for our workshops, and that is still the case. However, we know that this one is a topic that all teachers, childcare workers, youth ministers, and anyone working with children needs to attend.

“If you are a parent, and think that attending this workshop is going to make others think that you are an abuser, or that your child has been abused, think again. Last year, no one in the room was looking around trying to determine who was there and why. As soon as the program started, we were all riveted by the stories being told by child abuse survivors. If you do look around the room, it is encouraging to see so many faces who care about what is happening to children and who want to make a difference. Education is the first place to start with a topic as sensitive as this one. Parents, one of your child’s friends may come to you with a secret. Ministers, a survivor, like Marilyn Van Derbur may come to you years later to finally talk about her guilt and shame. This workshop will help you prepare for how to respond,” Petty noted.

This year, an additional speaker has been added to the evening’s agenda. LSSD Special Education teacher, Gregrhi Love, a survivor of child sexual abuse and a published author, will be the guest speaker.

Love will only have a limited time to speak because the presentation Daugherty brings is a full two hours long. However, Love will briefly touch on the following topics: abuse, survival, addiction, foster care, juvenile justice and education as a tool of resilience.

“I could talk about these topics all day long if I thought it would help just one child,” Love said.

The workshop will be held Monday, Feb. 13, from 6 until 8:30 p.m., in the Castle Heights Elementary Library. Seating for the workshop is limited to 60, so RSVPs are mandatory. Free childcare is available, and light refreshments will be served. To RSVP, contact Petty at 453-2693, text to 804-2460, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Petty said that seeing the faces of adult survivors of child sexual abuse really made a lasting impact on her.

“Their stories are real, and their life journeys out of the darkness and into the light are amazing and so brave.” Petty added that the financial impact of child sexual abuse is huge. “If I had just heard the statistics without seeing the faces of survivors, I may never have though about how much it costs to provide help. If you would like to financially help combat child sexual abuse, there is a way to help.”

The CAC will be hosting their third annual “Chocolate Affair” on Friday, Feb. 10, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Cumberland University’s Labry Hall. The cost for the event is $40 per couple or $25 per person. Those who attend will taste chocolate from around the world; enjoy live music, a silent auction and fashion show.

To purchase tickets or get more information, call Daugherty at 449-7975 or visit online at www.choclateaffair.net.