Prevention of Sexual Abuse in Florida

PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN FLORIDA

The Lauren’s Kids foundation has taken proactive efforts to make Florida a safer place for children through advocacy, education and public awareness. It was founded by Lauren Book, M.S.Ed., child abuse survivor, child advocate, educator and CEO of the Lauren’s Kids foundation. Read about Lauren and her team. Watch the video below for information about the prevalence of child sexual abuse.

Advocacy

The Lauren’s Kids foundation has advocated for the passage of more than two dozen state laws that protect children from abuse and provide support for survivors of sexual violence. For the history of the related changes to Florida laws, visit the Legislation page on the Lauren’s Kids website.

Some notable changes to Florida law include:

Elimination of statute of limitations for sex crimes committed against children under the age of 16.
Increased penalties for cyber-sex crimes.
Established child safety zones.
Increased penalties for those who sexually assault individuals with developmental delays or disabilities.
Mandatory reporting/protection of vulnerable persons.

Public Awareness

Lauren’s Kids foundation raises awareness about prevention of and healing from child sexual abuse through public awareness campaigns and speaking engagements around the country and the world, including the Hague, Netherlands, South Africa and throughout the Caribbean.
Lauren Book’s memoir, It’s OK to Tell, shares her own story of abuse, survival and advocacy to show others that it’s OK to tell and it’s OK to heal.
Lauren’s first book for children, Lauren’s Kingdom, promotes discussion about personal safety among caregivers and children.
Lauren’s Kids foundation provides more than 7 million educational and awareness materials statewide through direct mail every year.
Lauren’s Kids foundation partnered with the Florida Department of Children and Families to roll out the “Don’t Miss the Signs” campaign, educating adults about the signs of abuse and their responsibility to report. Due to its success, it has been replicated throughout the country.
Lauren’s Kids foundation hosts an annual 1,500-mile “Walk in My Shoes” advocacy and awareness walk, which takes Lauren Book and fellow walkers from Key West – coast to coast, community to community – all the way to the steps of the capitol in Tallahassee.
Lauren’s Kids foundation provided Florida legislators with a detailed research study that documents the effects of child sexual abuse on Florida taxpayers.

Education

For a free printed copy of A Guide to Hope & Healing, please visit shop.LaurensKids.org.

Safer, Smarter Kids is a child abuse prevention education curriculum developed by the Lauren’s Kids foundation designed to empower children to protect themselves in situations where someone could abuse them. Children are armed with protective principles and vocabulary to express their feelings and talk to a trusted adult.

Each grade-level and developmentally appropriate curriculum includes five to eight lessons that are aligned with the Florida Standards and Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for easy

integration into the classroom. The curriculum enables all children to effectively learn these critical strategies, no matter their learning style.

Safer, Smarter Teens, a curriculum for middle and high school students, encourages students to tap into their personal power and become advocates for change in their communities, while learning how to use their voices to better protect themselves and others and is available for order today.

The Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers (FNCAC)

Joining Lauren’s Kids foundation in the fight is the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers (FNCAC). According to its website, FNCAC, “…provides training, support, technical assistance and leadership on a statewide level to local children’s and child advocacy centers and communities throughout Florida responding to reports of child abuse and neglect. It does this though children’s advocacy centers throughout the state, which together form a … child-focused, facility-based program in which representatives from many disciplines, including law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy, child advocacy, work together to conduct interviews and make team decisions about investigation, treatment, management and prosecution of child abuse cases.”

Learn more on how to help yourself in the Respond section on this website.