Today was a great awareness day! I, along with the Walk team, had the opportunity to participate in the Children’s Services Council of Broward County’s press conference at the Broward County Sexual Assault Treatment Center where the Council announced their initiative to prevent child abuse and neglect.
I was so excited about the opportunity because I got to talk about the walk and tell everyone about the Safer, Smarter Kids curriculum. I can still remember the little girl that I taught safety lessons to back in 2010 — the first year that we walked. I remembered her mom’s face when I crouched down on the side of the road to speak with her little girl about how to protect herself against abuse. It was an eye-opening experience for me to know that parents were craving this vital information and that now, thanks to the legislature, we can provide it to our kindergarteners across Florida.
A special ‘thank you’ to Cindy Arenberg Seltzer from the Children’s Service Council along with Broward County Commissioner, Dale Holness; Broward County Sheriff, Al Lamberti; DCF Circuit Community Development Administrator, Kim Gorsuch; ChildNet Vice-president of Network Development, Larry Rein and A Child is Missing Community Outreach & Education Director, Dr. Alexis Brimberry.
Tomorrow we head off to Alligator Alley — more specifically Mile Marker 31 — to lay a wreath in remembrance of all of the sexual assault victims whose bodies have tragically been left there. Sadly, Mile Marker 31 has become the final resting place for too many of South Florida’s sexual abuse victims and it is time to remember those who have been found there and raise our voices against those who have placed them there.
Please join us if you can for a special day of remembrance tomorrow.
– Lauren
