Friends of the Metropolitan Children's Advocacy Center

10/23/2026

Recent events in the Ohio governor’s race are a reminder that an experience of child sexual abuse should never be reduced to politics or publicly debated for political gain.

Child sexual abuse is not partisan. It affects people across political parties, communities, cultures, faiths, institutions, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

When someone shares an experience of abuse, they deserve to be heard, believed, and treated with dignity. At Darkness to Light, we honor the voices of survivors—and remain focused on what adults can do to prevent abuse, protect children, and respond responsibly.

This issue knows no bounds. Neither should our commitment to prevention.

Find information and resources for taking action at d2l.org.

10/15/2026

Workshops for parents, caregivers and community partners

10/13/2026

Just a couple shorts months away is the event of the holiday season! Be sure to secure your spot now and sign up your furry friend too!

10/11/2026

🌈 October 11th is National Coming Out Day! We are happy you are here, out or not.❤️

National Coming Out Day was founded in 1988 by psychologist and workshop leader Rob Eichberg and political leader Jean O'Leary. Oct. 11th was chosen to commemorate the first anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Le***an and Gay Rights!

10/11/2026

DSS say that some of the deepest, most enduring trauma is inflicted on children who never receive a single physical mark.

10/05/2026

A groundbreaking analysis of 2.5 million pediatric health records has delivered one of the most definitive verdicts in modern medical history. Researchers publishing in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal have conclusively reaffirmed that there is no link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. This sweeping retrospective study tracked the developmental trajectories of infants and toddlers who received their first MMR dose within the standard 11.5 to 24-month window, monitoring their clinical outcomes up to age eight.

To ensure the absolute integrity of these results, scientists deployed rigorous statistical models designed to strip away underlying biases. By utilizing age-specific data tracking and negative control exposures, the research team successfully isolated the effects of the vaccine from other environmental or biological variables. The resulting data yielded a clear and scientifically unassailable conclusion, demonstrating that timely immunization does not negatively alter a child's neurological development.

This monumental dataset fortifies decades of global scientific consensus with an unprecedented level of clinical evidence. For parents, caregivers, and pediatricians, this research provides ultimate reassurance. It definitively proves that safeguarding children against highly contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases remains a fundamentally safe and essential pillar of early healthcare.

Paper refrence: Burstain, Todd L., et al. “Association Between First MMR Vaccination Before Age 2 Years and Childhood Autism in a U.S. EHR Cohort of 2.5 Million Children.” Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, July 2026, DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000005349.

10/02/2026

As South Carolina has grown, so has the number of child abuse cases across the state. South Carolina's Children's Advocacy Centers do a lot for us with little funding. That needs to change.

09/24/2026

We extend condolences to the family of Harriet Hancock and acknowledge with gratitude the profound and positive contributions she made to the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth in our state.

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

Please join us one week from tonight for a percent night at Boca Grande Burritos in Forest Acres. We will be there from 4-8 PM and would love to see you.