In 2014, through SDCL2-6-31, Jolene’s Law Task Force was charged to study the prevalence and impact of child sexual abuse (CSA) in the state. The Task Force met during the 2014, 2015, and 2016 interim legislative sessions. Task force membership represented the executive and legislative branches of South Dakota government, along with a medical doctor specializing in child sexual abuse, a State’s attorney, professionals from Child Advocacy Centers (CACs), counselors, law enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tribal community. Additionally, Jolene Loetscher, a victim of child sexual abuse and for whom the Task Force is named, was a member. Senator Deb Soholt served as chair and Senator Alan Solano as vice-chair of the Task Force and its efforts.

The task force came to understand that:

  • Child sexual abuse is a serious, significant issue in South Dakota.
  • At least 4,000 children in our state experience sexual abuse every year.
  • Students in South Dakota who have been forced to have sex, been touched sexually when they did not want to be or forced to do sexual things other than sexual intercourse are two to five more times likely to consider or attempt to commit suicide.
  • This topic is a public health priority for the safety and health of our kids.
  • Child sexual abuse happens in all socio-economic and race groups.
  • South Dakota adults need to lead a culture shift to protect our children.
  • The most powerful lever for change rests with mandatory reporters.
  • A coordinated system of response and early intervention must be developed.
  • A single entity should be responsible to aggregate statewide child sexual abuse data and use that to drive effective interventions and change.
Mother and daughter smiling at one another.

Our Work To Date

  • Expanded Resilient Communities and provided three communities support and tools to collaboratively work together to increase resiliency for children and families.
  • Launched online Recognizing & Reporting Child Maltreatment online training and partnered with University of South Dakota, School of Health Sciences to train pre-professionals.
  • Published the State of South Dakota Children’s Well-being: 2023 Report.
  • Supported a WIC Community Innovation and Outreach project to connect families to WIC services and cross-train service providers working with families who have young children.

  • Provided 110 training and continuing education sessions to 5,080 attendants.
  • Developed inaugural legal workshop to educate students and professionals on abuse and neglect case best practices.
  • Formed SD ACEs Tribal Advisory Board, who grounded ACEs curriculum in Lakota and Dakota ways.
  • Launched online training solution to provide Community Response to Child Abuse Conference content to a wider audience.
  • Hosted first strategic planning session for SD Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Collaborative.
  • Convened a multidisciplinary task force to conduct a needs assessment and develop a strategic plan related to mandatory reporting education, training and advocacy needs.

  • Became one of 20 grantees from the U.S. Health Resources & Service Administration’s (HRSA) Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems program.
  • Launched the State of South Dakota Children’s Wellbeing Data Initiative.
  • Organized monthly Court Improvement Program training series for judges, attorneys, and legal professionals.
  • Supported Codington County as they began the framework for Resilient Communities.
  • Received support from the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute to enhance the CAASt Graduate Certificate program and provide scholarships for multidisciplinary team members.

  • Launched COVIDKidsHelp.org to provide resources on internet safety and building resilience in the midst of trauma.
  • Hosted South Dakota’s first International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN)-approved Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Clinical Skills Lab.
  • Developed CAASt K-12 Educators webinar series to build trauma-informed schools.
  • Supported Brookings County as the first to adopt the Resilient Community framework.
  • Created awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month and launched South Dakota Wear Blue Day.

  • Began offering training opportunities online.
  • Launched Resilient Communities to help address issues surrounding child welfare and maltreatment.
  • Organized Children’s Day at the Capitol in partnership with other organizations.
  • Increased training efforts for medical professionals performing sexual assault examinations.
  • Proposed Child and Adult Advocacy Studies (CAASt) Certificate program.

  • Completed a feasibility study of current data collection methods within South Dakota.
  • Trained 4,000 South Dakotans on ACEs.
  • Finalized development of pediatric sexual assault kits.
  • Collaborated on mandatory reporter training for educators.
  • Established funding to launch the Enough Abuse campaign and training opportunities to build awareness on child sexual abuse.
  • Co-hosted the Community Response to Child Abuse Conference.

  • CPCM was developed and housed within University of South Dakota, School of Health Sciences.
  • Carrie G. Sanderson became the organization’s first director.
  • Secured funding to launch Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Interface master trainer curriculum.
  • Developed REACH team, a multidisciplinary response team in Watertown, creating a unified response for the 13-county area.
  • Created a state-wide searchable database to allow victims and families to easily locate services.