Tune in LIVE -- right now!! -- to join Lauren for a conversation about personal and digital safety.
Women Wednesdays was live.
17 hrs ·
When it comes to child safety, Stranger Danger doesn’t cut it! Did you know? 90% of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone the child – and their parents – know and trust … 1 in 5 children who touch a digital device will be solicited for sex … Predators groom victims, and their families, for abuse – building trust, then systematically testing and violating boundaries … Join Florida State Senator Lauren Book, founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids, child safety expert, and mother of two, for a discussion about how to keep your child safe from the traps predators set. Learn tips and tools to prevent abuse, signs of unsafe adults, and more.
Join us this Wednesday for a LIVE chat about personal & online safety —
WED, SEP 23
Beyond Stranger Danger; Personal & Digital Safety with Sen. Lauren Book
Calling all educators -- do you use Safer, Smarter Kids or Safer, Smarter Teens? We've digitized components of our curriculum and created digitally responsive PDFs to help ensure that you're able to teach your students critical safety lessons, even if back-to-school looks a little different this year. Learn more:
LAURENSKIDS.ORG
Digital Resources to Support Back to School | Lauren's Kids
Parents — it is important to have open and honest communication with your children, letting them know they can come to you about ANYTHING - from a fight with a friend to a bad dream, a touch that doesn’t feel quite right, or a message on an app.
Discuss the fact that you can’t tell if a person is safe or unsafe by the way they look, their job, or because they are rich or famous — you have to decide if a person is safe or unsafe based on the way their behavior makes you feel (happy, loved, secure, excited OR confused, unsure, scared, hurt?).
USATODAY.COM
Jerry Harris from 'Cheer' charged with producing child porn. He admitted receiving explicit photos from minors, court records show
Join our founder and CEO Lauren Book next Wednesday 9/23 for a conversation focused on personal & digital safety BEYOND “stranger danger.” Details below -
WED, SEP 23
Beyond Stranger Danger; Personal & Digital Safety with Sen. Lauren Book
Back to school may look different this year, but Lauren’s Kids is excited to support educators and students as learning resumes. Visit SaferSmarterSchools.org to learn more about our curriculum programs — now with digitally responsive and web-based materials to help facilitate online learning, and NEW mental health and human trafficking modules!
Today on #WorldMentalHealth day, Lauren’s Kids wants to send the message that it’s ok not to be okay ... but please reach out for help and support when you need it - because you deserve it! Not sure where to start? Email Team@LaurensKids.org and we will be glad to help connect you with resources in your area. Because of our advocacy alongside the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence and the support of the Florida Legislature, survivors within the state of Florida are able to access trauma therapy and mental health services free of charge — but no matter where you may live, help is available.
Mental health - especially for survivors - has its ups and downs. Hard times are made easier when connected with resources and support ❤️, and the understanding that you are not alone 👩🏽🤝👨🏼. Even in the midst of a ferocious storm, there are sunny days ahead 🌈 and people who want to help you feel well.
1 in 5 children who touch a digital device will be sexually solicited online. Learn about how to protect your kids at SaferSmarterFamilies.org.
PATCH.COM
22 Accused Of Soliciting Sex With Deputies Posing As Teens
Amazon shoppers — support Lauren’s Kids (at no cost to you!) by participating in Amazon Smile! Easy and free, learn how here:
LAURENSKIDS.ORG
Lauren's Kids - Amazon Smile & Lauren’s Kids: Give While Getting!
Did you know? More than 90% of child sexual abuse is committed by someone the child -- and their parents -- know and trust. Talk with your kids about safety from a place of empowerment, not fear. Visit SaferSmarterFamilies.org for FREE safety resources for families with kids grades K-12.
Have you checked out our latest PSA — “TikTok - It’s Time to Check on Your Kids”? Watch below, then visit SaferSmarterFamilies.org to access FREE personal and digital safety resources for school-aged kids.
Lauren's Kids
July 29 at 3:02 PM ·
You've seen our new digital safety PSA "TikTok - It's Time to Check on Your Child" ... now, check out the broadcast version made possible with support and partnership from Modjo, featuring their international hit song “Lady (Hear me Tonight)”. Florida - tune in to local CBS channels...coming to a TV near you! Learn more: https://bit.ly/2X9SB5z
Struggling with the aftermath of a child's disclosure of sexual abuse? Order a printed copy - FREE for Florida families - at shop.laurenskids.org, or access a light digital version at laurenskids.org/hopeandhealing
Did you know? Help for healing is available whether abuse occurred last week, last month, last year, or a decade ago. Not sure where to start? Visit https://laurenskids.org/resources/assistance/ or email team@laurenskids.org -- we're glad to help.
“What’s done in darkness WILL be brought to light.” Have you read the unsealed Ghislaine Maxwell deposition? Read Lauren’s thoughts below, and learn more here: https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926590153/jeffrey-epstein-update-read-the-deposition-that-ghislaine-maxwell-fought-to-hide
Lauren Book
October 22 at 10:58 AM ·
Ghislaine Maxwell is about to learn - what’s done in darkness WILL come to light, despite money, power, influence, and a deposition filled with false denials. Read about her unsealed deposition here: https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926590153/jeffrey-epstein-update-read-the-deposition-that-ghislaine-maxwell-fought-to-hide
Florida Council Against Sexual Violence
October 21 at 12:20 PM ·
Warning: This video covers sensitive topics related to sexual violence.
FCASV closed out our virtual conference with a powerful film panel discussion on The Rape of Recy Taylor. Topics ranged from Recy Taylor's impact on the fight against sexual violence, the aftermath for victims, and ways we can continue to spread awareness in our communities today. We thank Attorney Takisha Richardson with Cohen Milstein Law Firm, award-winning author and historian Dr. Danielle McGuire, and Dr. Na'Imah Ford from FAMU's College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities for serving as our panelists and creating such a rich and insightful discussion.
Here's a piece of the conversation! #shespokeup #metoo #endsexualviolence
Parents, check your kids’ devices for the messaging app Telegram — very disturbing —
DAILYMAIL.CO.UK
Deepfake tool on Telegram forging NUDE images of underage girls
Our founder & CEO Lauren Book is now a Florida State Senator pushing for changes to the foster care system including one common-sense measure that would require DCF to follow up with children who previously lived in foster homes where a foster parent was later found to be abusive. We cannot allow victims to go unidentified and unserved, especially when these innocent children were — as Lauren puts it — “proverbially placed in the lion's den” by the State of Florida.
USATODAY.COM
Appalled by foster abuse findings, Florida senator pushes for common sense change
What’s done in darkness will always come to light —
REUTERS.COM
Ghislaine Maxwell cannot keep deposition details secret, U.S. appeals court rules
In 2019, our Founder & CEO - now Florida State Senator - Lauren Book championed a bill to help law enforcement crack down on human trafficking and which provides a funding mechanism to support survivors. Since then, the Florida Board of Education has passed a rule requiring students in grades K-12 to be taught age-appropriate lessons on human trafficking prevention — content covered in Lauren’s Kids’ “Safer, Smarter Kids” and “Safer, Smarter Teens” curriculum.
This week, “Operation Stolen Innocence” uncovered and arrested 178 individuals for the trafficking, abuse, and exploitation of a young girl. Sadly, any child can become a victim of human trafficking - and anyone could be an abuser. To protect children from falling prey to the traps predators set, we must acknowledge & understand the facts about human trafficking - a very real danger occurring in every single community in the Sunshine State. Read Lauren’s op ed in the Tallahassee Democrat here -
TALLAHASSEE.COM
Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking. We have to open our eyes | Opinion
THANK YOU to all who donated for Give Miami Day — where giving was amplified by matching funds & boosted even more during our “Power Hour”. Because of your generosity, Lauren’s Kids is able to continue our work to prevent child sexual abuse through education and awareness and to help survivors heal with guidance and support. Thank you for giving during this challenging year, and for being a part of the Lauren’s Kids family. None of this would be possible without you.
Thank you to all who have donated to Lauren’s Kids this Give Miami Day – when donations are matched and impact is amplified. There has never been a better time to make a difference in the lives of children. Haven’t given yet? There’s still time! Donation matching runs through 11:59 p.m. tonight. Give now: https://www.givemiamiday.org/LaurensKids
AND -- Give $100+ and receive a link to watch Chairman Ron Book sing karaoke LIVE on zoom – Give $500+ for a personal performance to a song of your choice!
IT’S POWER HOUR! Right now, from 11 a.m. – 12 noon EST, all gifts made to Lauren’s Kids on the Give Miami Day platform will not only be matched, but given an extra boost! Maximize your impact and give NOW to help Lauren’s Kids prevent abuse and support survivors: https://www.givemiamiday.org/LaurensKids
Give $100+ and receive a link to watch Chairman Ron Book sing karaoke LIVE on zoom – Give $500+ for a personal performance to a song of your choice! We can’t believe he agreed to this…don’t miss out! 😃
TODAY IS THE DAY! It’s Give Miami Day and donations made to Lauren’s Kids will be MATCHED! Give at the link below from 11 a.m. – 12 noon EST during our ‘Power Hour’ and matched donations will be given an extra boost! Give today: Give today: https://www.givemiamiday.org/LaurensKids
AND – those who give $100+ will receive a link to watch our Chairman Ron Book sing karaoke LIVE on Zoom along with your fellow donors… donors able to give $500+ will receive their own personal serenade from Ron to a song of YOUR CHOICE! You don’t want to miss this!!!
GIVEMIAMIDAY.ORG
Lauren's Kids, Inc.
We are making incredible progress on our “Journey Home” rebuild & renovation of the Lauren’s Kids & AshBritt Environmental Therapy House at the Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center! While the work is ongoing, we welcomed the therapists and leaders who will work in the space to come on over for a “sneak peek” mini-reveal to keep spirits and excitement high...and boy were they excited! It is an honor to provide a place of love and peace for children and therapists following the destruction of this building from Category 5 storm Hurricane Michael. Stay tuned for our ribbon cutting and full reveal in January 2021!
For all contributing to Lauren’s Kids today for Give Miami Day, THIS is your generosity at work — providing hope and healing for survivors, and preventing abuse with education and awareness.
Learn more about the Journey Home project here:
https://bit.ly/3kKBnEQ
And give today during Give Miami Day to have your donation matched, here: https://www.givemiamiday.org/LaurensKids
Powerful Humans of New York recollection of suffering and surviving child sexual abuse. Black, white, brown, rich, poor, male, female, nonbinary, religious, agnostic -- no matter who you are or where you live, children are being sexually abused -- usually by someone they, and their parents, know and trust. Whether it happened a day, month, year, or decade ago, "It's OK to Tell"... and it's OK to HEAL. Thank you for sharing your story.
Humans of New York
2 hrs ·
(8/8) “I finally confronted the son of a bitch when I turned eighteen. One morning I looked in the mirror and said: ‘I’m not a kid anymore. I’m going to do it.’ He was dying of AIDS by then. But I didn’t care, I got aggressive with him. I got in his face and asked: ‘Why me? Why did you pick me, man?’ And you know what that sick asshole told me? He said: ‘Because I loved you.’ That creepy fuck. I was only nine years old when I met him. But even then I knew it wasn’t right. I knew I shouldn’t be alone with our sixty-year-old neighbor, who smelled like alcohol. Even today the smell of Colt 45 brings me back. Brings me back to that room. I’ve played it over and over again in my head. ‘Just get out of there Ryan. Go home and tell your old man. He’ll put an end to it.’ But the shame was so heavy. It was just so heavy. I wasn’t held down. It wasn’t violent. That’s why it messed me up so bad. It left me feeling so ashamed. Really, really dirty. And it just kept happening. I didn’t know how to stop it. Day after day. Over and over. Until finally when I was thirteen we moved away from the neighborhood. I was finally free. But you know what that son of a bitch did? That sick fuck. He rented an apartment right next to my mom, and trapped me all over again. I couldn’t escape. He was giving me liquor. And by the time I was fourteen he was giving me cocaine. And I just dove right into the drugs. Because they were my only escape. Sometimes I hate myself so much. I’ll look at Red, and I’ll think about all the trauma I caused him. But I was a good kid too once. Not an academic or anything, but a good kid. I liked school. I enjoyed making people proud of me. I think I was happy. I remember having feelings like that, before the abuse. But afterwards nobody was proud of me anymore. There wasn’t anything left to be proud of. So I just burned down the rest of it. Burned it down with heroin and crack until I was finally forced to face it. Because if I didn’t, I’d lose my son. And that’s what I want you to know, little man. All this stuff that happened to your dad. It almost killed me. But you came along and saved me. Because I always loved you more than I hated myself.”
When Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle in October 2018, the Category 5 storm destroyed everything in its path – homes, livelihoods, and the Trauma Therapy House at the Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center (CAC), which provides trauma informed counseling, specialized therapy, and support for more than 7,000 victims of child sexual abuse and their families annually.
Following the storm, the Lauren’s Kids Foundation and the AshBritt Foundation – longtime friends of the Gulf Coast CAC – have committed ourselves to rebuilding the Trauma Therapy House to provide a safe place for healing, reminding young survivors that strength and resilience can be found even after the darkest of storms. Whether facing a powerful natural disaster of the storm of sexual abuse and trauma, there is hope for healing and recovery.
Join us on Facebook.com/LaurensKids February 12, 2021 at 12:15 CST/ 1:15 EST for a livestream of the ribbon cutting and momentous reveal of the rehabilitated and rebuilt AshBritt & Lauren’s Kids Trauma Therapy House that will provide these survivors a true “Journey Home.”
This week, Lauren spoke to CBS Miami about her appreciation for Special Agents Alfin and Schwartzenberger and their life's work protecting children from abuse and online exploitation. Lauren's Kids continues to be grateful for these agents' willingness to put their lives on the line for children, making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Lauren's Kids has been a part of efforts to cover travel, accommodations, and food for these agents' loved ones as they mourn unthinkable losses. Thank you for your continued support of Lauren's Kids and allowing us to pay it forward for those on the front lines of child protection.
To help in the effort to support the families of these fallen agents, please visit: https://laurenskids.org/join-donate/ , select "honor / in memoriam gift," and name FBI Agents Alfin and Schwartzenberger in the "name of honoree" or "tribute" section.
We will ensure any funds donated go directly to support coordinated by the FBI National and FBI Miami Citizens Academy Alumni Associations.
MIAMI.CBSLOCAL.COM
‘Lifesaving Godsends For Survivors Of Abuse’: State Sen. Lauren Book Knows Firsthand The Important Work Done By Slain FBI Agents
CBS Miami
February 3 at 11:05 PM ·
‘SACRIFICE EACH AND EVERY DAY’: State Sen. Lauren Book, a child advocate and a survivor of child sexual abuse, understands better than most just how important the work Special Agents Laura Schwartzenberger and Daniel Alfin were doing.
CBS Miami
February 3 at 11:05 PM ·
‘SACRIFICE EACH AND EVERY DAY’: State Sen. Lauren Book, a child advocate and a survivor of child sexual abuse, understands better than most just how important the work Special Agents Laura Schwartzenberger and Daniel Alfin were doing.
Watching this case as it unfolds in our backyard... sending love and healing to those injured and to the family of the deceased.
WSVN.COM
AP Source: Multiple FBI agents shot in Sunrise while attempting to serve warrant in child exploitation case
No matter your politics, we can all agree: Speaking up and speaking out about sexual assault helps shine a light and let other survivors know that it's OK to tell. Thank you for your bravery, Congresswoman.
MIAMIHERALD.COM
Ocasio-Cortez reveals she survived sexual assault. ‘I haven’t told many people that’
Happy Black History Month!
Florida Council Against Sexual Violence
February 1 at 3:06 PM ·
Happy Black History Month! Despite obstacles such as institutional racism and sexism, to name a few, African American women have pioneered advocacy to end sexual violence and amplify the voices of survivors. We will continue to honor the achievements of Black women, who have stood courageously to bring sustainable change and create a safer world for survivors. 🖤 #BlackHistoryMonth #survivors #change
