Advocating for Seminole County’s children

Child Abuse Prevention

Why is it that one child's death is viewed as a tragedy, but the death of hundreds is merely a statistic? Every week three children in Florida die from abuse and neglect. 

This does not have to continue. In fact, many of your fellow Floridians are working to change the statistics and protect our children, including the Seminole County Child Abuse Prevention Task Force

Learn more about the task force by visiting its Facebook page.

 

The effects of child abuse and neglect are often life-changing and, tragically, sometimes life-ending. So what is child abuse and neglect?

  • Physical Abuse
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Neglect
  • Abandonment

Over 5000 reports of child abuse were handled by the hotline for Seminole County in 2013.

Did you know?

  • 80% of prison inmates report being physically and/or sexually abused.
  • Children who have been abused are:
    • 103% more likely to smoke
    • 43% more likely to become suicidal
    • 103% more likely to become an alcoholic
    • 192% more likely to develop a drug addiction

The monetary cost of child abuse and neglect in Florida is $10 billion annually ($124 billion nationwide)

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, get involved and make a call.  You can even contact the tipline annonymously.  

Report Abuse:  1.800.96ABUSE   (1.800.962.2873)
http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/abuse-hotline

Informational Resources:

https://www.ounce.org/PreventionServices.asp

https://www.fldoe.org/family/abuse.asp

http://childrescuenetwork.org/keeping-children-safe/

http://centerforchildwelfare.fmhi.usf.edu/HorizontalTab/5YearPermPlan.shtml

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Seminole-County-Child-Abuse-Prevention-Task-Force/194638937240676 

 

Dangers of Co-Sleeping

In 2012, the Seminole County Child Abuse Prevention Task Force partnered with area hospitals and pediatricians to raise awareness of the dangers of co-sleeping. 

co-sleeping