i-Walk: National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Please GET BLUE and join in i-Walk to keep America’s children safe! Every April, the nation unites to raise awareness and educate the public about child abuse and violence against children.

To signify the importance of the month please celebrate your children on National Love Our Children Day on April 14th.

You can unite online by participating in the virtual i-Walk and gain the support of your friends, family and your community to help keep kids safe – and you don’t even have to leave your home!
Each year, over 3 million children in our country were reported abused or neglected and through public awareness, community education, and support programs, these astounding numbers will be reduced.

Love Our Children USA™ offers you an opportunity to join this national movement in your very own community. You can be the voices for children by participating in GET BLUE campaign and i-walking to remind everyone about the importance of America’s kids, and how we can share in preventing all violence and neglect against children.

Follow Love Our Children USA on Twitter.

Register yourself as a virtual walker today!!!

Stop Child Abuse and Sex Crimes

Stacey Honowitz

"Sex crimes know no boundaries. It's black, it's white, it's Catholic, it's Jewish." - Stacey Honowitz

Stacey Honowitz has been a prosecutor for 24 years in the Broward State Attorneys Office, and has indicted, and tried many high profile cases involving all aspects of child sexual abuse, and physical abuse as well as all adult rape cases. As a prosecutor she realizes that the most important aspect of the job is being able to communicate to the children the notion that "it's not their fault", and they should feel comfortable talking to both investigators and prosecutors about the sexual abuse.

When it comes to the adult rape cases, she strives to let victims know that coming forward and following through will benefit them long term, and being in this field of the law you take on a duel role, as both an advocate and a therapist The role is not only to punish to the fullest extent of the law, but to able to comfort the child during a difficult time in their lives. More importantly Stacey enjoys being on the lecture circuit, sharing her knowledge of sex crimes, navigating the criminal justice systems, investigating sex crimes and prosecuting in the courtroom. Her lectures also focus on "how to talk to your children" and the importance of frank and open discussions between parents and children about possible sex crimes and what to do if they ever become victims. 

Stacey is available for speaking engagements focusing on Child Sex Crimes, how to discuss sex abuse with your children, adult rape cases, investigations for child pornography, navigating the criminal justice system and the medias role in high profile cases.  Contact her - click here.

As the fastest growing crime in the country, Child Sexual Abuse is a national problem. "My Privates are Private" and "Genius with a Penis: Don't Touch" aim to help parents educate their children in a fun and comfortable way.  Both books Stacey Honowitz authored to help educate parents, teachers and children to better understand this ugly crime that is despicable.




Stacey Honowitz has appeared regularly on CNN, MSNBC, Headline News, FOX News as a Legal Analyst and has been featured on Dateline NBC, CBS News 48 Hours, and Good Morning. 

Caylee's Law - Sign it today

Speak for Caylee!

If you don't live under a rock, like 12 jurors from Pinellas County Florida do, you probably know the outrageous verdict that literally condones child abuse and neglect.

Since this unbelievable verdict chilled the entire world, it has prompted lawmakers to create a bill called Caylee's Law.

If you think about this - we have come to a sad time in our society when we need to invoke a law that mandates a parent report a child missing.  What parent wouldn't?  We are not talking about frequent runaway teens, we are talking about toddlers.  Even parents I speak with weekly have teens they report as runaways - although they may know where they are, these parents fear for the safety of their teens.

Now because 12 people, would refused to show their face after making such a major blunder, are not only showing their ignorance through the 2 alternates that spoke, and the one, Jennifer Ford who decided getting a free trip to Disney from ABC was worth sharing her idiocy with us, we are forced to get laws into effect that a layman can understand.

It is blatantly obvious these jurors were oblivious to Florida's State Statue for child abuse and neglect.  

Reads in part:  "Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm"

Casey Anthony neglected to report her child missing for 31 days.  The dead toddlers remains, including a skull with duct tape around the jaw and nasal area, as well as her tiny body in 3 bags, was found 6 months later.  But these 12 jurors just couldn't wrap their head around it.  There was only one person that Caylee got in the way of - her mother, Casey.  Caylee was starting to talk - Casey's lies would soon be exposed.  

Now it is our turn to speak out - boycott all things these jurors can profit off of (juror #6 already found an agent and waiting for the highest bidder), boycott all things Casey or her family intend to profit from.

Most importantly - sign the petition to create Caylee's Law.

Genius with a Penis, Don't Touch!

Order today!

By Stacey Honowitz

Stacey Honowitz is a twenty two year veteran of the State Attorney's office, seventeen years dedicated to the Sex Crimes and Child abuse Unit where she is currently serving as a supervisor. She is also a frequent legal commentator who has provided legal analysis for Larry King Live, Good Morning America, Dateline NBC, CBS News 48 Hours, MSNBC CNBC, as well as Fox News and Court Television.

She has prosecuted several high profile cases in South Florida and is also a guest lecturer who speaks about child sex abuse, the sensitive nature of these cases, the navigation of the criminal justice system and the importance of frank and open communication with children about this important and difficult subject matter.

She has provided important information for several years to both parents and children on the issues of child molestation and continues to send the message that the importance of reporting the abuse, it is the first step in healing. Stacey is also the author of "My Privates are Private."

Parents always want to know how to talk to their children about sexual abuse. They understand the importance of the topic, yet many struggle to find the "right words". This book was written specifically with that in mind, and gives parents the opportunity to discuss this subject matter without feeling uncomfortable. The importance of "Genius with a Penis, Don't Touch!" is two fold. The book will put both parents and children at ease when dealing with this very difficult, delicate, and often thought of as taboo subject matter.

The main character Bobby Boodle lets you into his little boy world and then helps parents and children engage in "breaking the ice" when bringing up the subject of private parts and touching. The book allows for open and frank communication between parents and children, and does not make the subject matter intimidating. Bobby teaches children through his limericks the importance of knowing your private parts and then stresses the importance of reporting abuse. The limericks are easy to remember and send powerful and important messages, first and foremost, don't ever be afraid to tell someone if you think you are being hurt.

The book enables children to see a cute character who has to deal with an important subject. They will feel sense of relief in seeing that children can speak up and not be afraid to report abuse. The message throughout the book is quite clear; never be scared if you are a abused and always know that someone will listen to you and help you along the way. Bobby advocates the many ways to seek out help, and teaches children that they should never be fearful of talking about abuse.

This book will bring parents and children together in fighting the fight against sexual abuse. Education and communication are the lessons "Genius with a Penis, Don't Touch!" will convey to both parents and children.

Order on Amazon today!  Limited copies available - more coming in - A must read for all parents of children.

Sue Scheff: I Promised Not to Tell (A Story of Courage)

By Kara Tamanini

Abby is a little girl that is being abused by her father. She is very scared and confused and hesitates telling her teachers about what is happening at home, especially because her father is also physically abusing her mother. After working up the courage to tell her teacher, Abby meets Ms. Rogers, a caseworker who talks to her, as well as the school counselor, Ms. Billings. Together, they find a way to help Abby get out of her situation and live with other family members in a safer, loving environment. This book is an invaluable tool in helping children learn about abusive relationships and knowing when to seek help.

Kara T. Tamanini is a licensed mental health counselor and works as a child/adolescent psychotherapist in a Christian counseling center. She plans to expand her website, www.kidsawarenessseries.com by writing more articles and books to help children and adults learn about issues relating to abuse and mental health. She lives with her husband and daughter in Bartow, Florida.

Follow Kara Tamanini on Twitter at @KidTherapist and visit http://www.kidsawarenessseries.com/

Order on Amazon today.

Sue Scheff: Help stop the sexual abuse of children

Stop It Now!

Our Mission
Stop It Now! prevents the sexual abuse of children by mobilizing adults, families and communities to take actions that protect children before they are harmed.

Our Vision
Adults engage in respectful, caring behavior with children and other adults to create safe, stable and nurturing relationships for all children. Children grow up free of trauma from any form of violence including sexual abuse and exploitation.

Our Philosophy
Stop It Now! was founded on the belief that adults are in the best position to keep children safe from sexual abuse. By adults, we mean parents, survivors, family members, law enforcement, and professionals of all types. We also believe that people who might sexually abuse a child have an important role to play in prevention. No other prevention program has ever directly challenged all adults to take full responsibility for ending sexual abuse.

Challenging individuals to hold themselves accountable is an important and bold first step towards stopping the sexual abuse of children. But it is not enough. We must broaden the notion of adult responsibility to inspire families and communities to push for a corresponding change in societal attitudes and government policies. As a society, we can’t identify effective solutions until we have the courage to face the real problem—people we care about who have lost control.

Our Approach
Stop It Now! relies on the public health model to create programming. Using a combination of research-based public education materials and social marketing campaigns, we seek to change the social climate and foster the prevention of child sexual abuse.

In past public health campaigns, advocates have successfully demanded change in our communities by challenging societal attitudes ("friends don't let friends drive drunk"). Communities have demanded effective public policies which will promote the public health (regulations which prevent smoking in public places). Individuals and communities also have a role to play in preventing the sexual abuse of children.

We believe that sexual abuse of children is preventable. We believe that the best hope for preventing child abuse is by enacting the following policies in our communities:

•Promoting accurate information
•Enhancing services to children who are victims of sex abuse
•Providing specialized treatment programs for sex offenders
•Offering timely sexuality education
•Improving our understanding of behaviors that make children vulnerable
Using the results of interviews and focus groups with survivors, people who have abused children in the past, and the family members of both, we have been developing:

•Sharply focused prevention education materials
•Media messages
•Training tools
•Community-based program strategies
These tools are designed to motivate and support adults to step forward, to speak up, and take action to protect children. With the help of all adults, we have been working to identify, refine and share ways that adults and communities can effectively intervene to protect children and get help for everyone involved.

Stop It Now! has established community-based programs across the US. Together with our sister organization, in the UK & Ireland, Stop It Now! successfully tested the idea that adults will act to prevent the sexual abuse of children IF they have accurate and balanced information, practical resources – and access to support.

Stop It Now! provides a place for adults to voice questions and concerns about child sexual abuse and gives them and their communities the resources to take action. This includes sharing nformation about setting standards for respectful behavior in our families, with friends and in our communities that promote healthy behaviors that protect children.

Follow StopItNow on Twitter @StopItNow