COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A national group says thousands of South Carolina teachers have completed training to prevent, identify and react to child sexual abuse.
Charleston-based Darkness to Light estimates that 20,000 South Carolina teachers and school employees will complete the training by the end of this year. That's more than 40 percent of the state's school staff and sets a record among U.S. school systems.
State Education Superintendent Jim Rex says the training is an important step toward preventing child sexual abuse. Darkness to Light formed a training partnership with the state Education Department last year.
State officials estimate more than 38,000 school staff members will be trained by the end of 2010.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
