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A VIDEO TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CHILD ABUSE  on YOU TUBE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9njhcQuTXC

TEAHCER  ABUSE INSPIRES FLORIDA LAWMAKERS

After a two year investigation by SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE .....a few FLORIDA lawmakers will sponor a BILL called the"STUDENT PROTECTION ACT" this BILL will require any teacher of knowledge of "sexual misconduct" by another educator to report the activity, also states that the state set up this info in the national database which would be open to public. Although this database does not specify what type of misconduct, abuse the teacher may have been suspended or disciplined for.....this type of info may be attainable through the Department of Education.    

The NATIONAL database was created & provided by a nonprofit org, NASDTEC known as National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education Certificiation.

THE NASDTEC 'S  number of reported cases in a National database of educator misconduct varies greatly state by state.........

However, according to NASDTEC .........California ranks #1 .....5,997, and of course FLORIDA # 2 ........3,922.

To review a partial list of FLORIDA teachers who have been sanctioned is available @  www.heraldtribune.com/brokentrust 

To review story reported by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune 

NATIONAL DATABASE OF PROBLEM TEACHERS IS FLAWED go to:

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071221/NEWS/712210445

TAMPA FL........1-10-08

SEX OFFENDER.......Debra LaFave......... AVOIDS JAIL TIME.................

Circuit Judge J. Rogers Padgett found sex offender, Debra LaFave violated her probation by her conversations with an under-aged co-worker.  Judge Padgett said  "The court finds the violation is neither willful or substantial, and the court will not revoke your community control but will continue on the same.  PLEASE DON'T COME BACK, OK? 

LaFave is on 3 year house arrest and 7 years probation.

To read story from FOX NEWS go to:

http://www.FoxNews.com/story/0,2933,321607,00.html    

ST LUCIE COUNTY,  FLORIDA

2-1-08

MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT & CHILD ABUSE

37 year old man was accused of  THREATENING TO KILL HIS DAUGHTER and may have offered his 16 year old daughter up for sex.  Wesner Auguste was held in St. Lucie County jail on $750,000 bail.  Auguste faces felony charges; five counts each of aggrevated assault and aggrevated child abuse according a police report.  

 Auguste threatened his daughter with a knife while he was drunk "IF YOU REFUSE TO OBEY MY COMMANDS, I AM GOING TO KILL YOU"

Children have been placed with grandparents.

To read more go to:

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/feb/01/30man-charged-with-assault-child-abuse/     

PORT ST LUCIE  ....FLORIDA 

BOY CHARGED WITH ASSAULT using a PENCIL.......

OAK HAMMOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL......13 year old boy was arrested during school for ASSAULT.

A report was released Thursday which stated the suspect, 13 year old boy, hit a 12 year old in the back of the head with a broken pencil.

The suspect said that he was throwing pencils, marker caps and crayons at his classmates according to a police report.....his classmates were calling him names.

WAS THIS ARREST NECESSARY......WHERE WAS THE TEACHER??

CRIMINAL CONDUCT BILL

HB # 103 sponsored by Rep Gayle Harrell (R)  passed unanimously by Committee of Courts in the House of Representatives on Feb. 20, 2008.

SB # 1280 is sponsored by Senator Dave Aronberg (D) 

We want to thank Rep. Harrell & Sen. Aronberg for their continued support and dedication to the Criminal Conduct Bill.  

CRIMINAL CONDUCT BILL  

SENATE SB # 1280  ....sponsored by SEN DAVE ARONBERG

HOUSE   HB # 103 .....sponsored by REP GAYLE HARRELL

Link to BILL:

http://www.flsenate.gov/cgi-bni/view_page.pl?Tab=session&Submenu1&FT=D&File=sb1280.html&Directory=session/2008/Senate/bills/billtext/html/

Link to Amendment: 

http://www.flsenate.gov/cgi-bin/view_page.pl?Tab=session&Submenu=1&FT=D&File=session/2008/Senate/bills/amendments_com/html/sb1280AM330518.html/

 Link to STAFF Analysis:

http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2008/Senate/bills/analysis/pdf/2008s1280.cf.pdf

FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Safety & Security committee will hear HB # 103 Criminal Conduct Bill sponsored by Rep Gayle Harrell on Wednesday March 19, 2008.

HB # 103 is a very important bill to fix the loophole in our system which currently exist in Florida concerning "Mental Injury" in the CHILD ABUSE STATUE. 

Florida Supreme Court made recommendations for the FLORIDA LEGISLATORS to add the definition of "Mental Injury" to the criminal statute to clear up confusion.

The current statue is too vague and broad.     

It is our hope that the FLordia Legislators will take into consideration the Florida Supreme Courts advice and "FIX" this issue to protect other children from this type of abuse.

HB # 103  will target speech that is "NOT PROTECTED" by the FIRST AMENDMENT.  That means speech that  is fighting words, threats, child pornography, & speech that incites illegal criminal activity. 

HB # 103 CRIMINAL CONDUCT BILL PASSSES UNANIMOUSLY in

SAFETY & SECURITY COMMITTEE FOR HOUSE OF REPS on 3-19-08

Thank you to our HOUSE sponsor Rep Gayle Harrell & all committee members of SAFETY & SECURITY COUNCIL. 

Next stop is POLICY & BUDGET COUNCIL

APRIL ............IS PREVENT CHILD ABUSE MONTH

YOU CAN HELP PREVENT CHILD ABUSE..........................Childs Cry for Help is working on Florida legislation to recognize "Mental Injury" which is emotional abuse. 

FLORIDA 'S current child abuse statute does NOT protect children who are victims of EMOTIONAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE despite its greater prevalence than physical and sexual abuse and more grave longterm consequences for life adjustment and mental health.

HB # 103  & SB # 1280 will enhance FLORIDA's capacity to protect abused children by:

EXPANDING the existing child abuse statute to include the defintion of "MENTAL INJURY"  as provided in F.S. 39.01 and provide compensation for victims of emotional abuse.

Speech and acts protected by the FIRST AMENDMENT to the US Constitution or s. 4, Art. l of the FL State Constituion are exempt from presecution under the proposed legislation.   

Together we can all make a difference for our children.

Just because... CHILDREN DON'T VOTE their needs are just important.  It is up to the adults to speak out and PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. 

Please take a moment and email the FLORIDA legislators that NEED to hear how important this issue is for OUR CHILDREN

SENATOR PAULA DOCKERY .... chair of Criminal Justice committee

SB# 1280 must be heard in this committee.  If Senator Dockery does not add this bill to the committee it will not make it this year.  Time is running out.........

email:  Dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov

HB # 103 must be heard in Policy & Budget for  the HOUSE OF REPS.  

REP. Ray Sansom ...chair of POLICY & BUDGET COUNCIL needs to hear from you.

email:  ray.sansom@myfloridahouse.gov        

         APRIL is the national month for "PREVENT CHILD ABUSE"

          YOU CAN BE PROACTIVE .....PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE

CHILD ABUSE FACTS:

94 BILLION dollars is spent in the aftermath of child abuse.

Emotional & Psychological abuse can occur alone or with other forms of abuse.

Emotional & Psychological abuse is ALWAYS a component of phsyical or sexual abuse.

Emotional & Psychological abuse is MOST damaging to children.

Emotional abuse is a strong indicator of increased risk for psychiatric & physical illness.

OUR CHILDREN NEED YOUR VOICE...............

PLEASE CALL:

SENATOR PAULA DOCKERY'S office......(850) 487-5040 

Dockery is "Chair"  for CRIMINAL JUSTICE committee

REQUEST SB # 1280 CRIMINAL CONDUCT BILL be added on CRIMINAL JUSTICE agenda or WITHDRAWN from committee.  

SB # 1280 is being held up....WE MUST "FIX" THE LOOPHOLE IN THE SYSTEM which exists and protect our children from emotional and psycholgical abuse known as "MENTAL INJURY" 

FLORIDA RANKS second in the NATION for CHILD ABUSE it is time our legislators MUST put our children FIRST!!!!

CALL:

SENATE PRESIDENT KEN PRUITT  (850) 487-5229

EMAIL FL GOVERNOR:    CHARLIE.CRIST@myflorida.com 

REVIEW BILL....go to www.childscryforhelp.org 

NOTE: 

HB # 103 CRIMINAL CONDUCT sponsored by REP HARRELL is waiting to be heard in special session for the HOUSE OF REPS.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT recommended definiton of "MENTAL INJURY " be added to our criminal statute for our children.

  YOUR CALLS & SUPPORT will HELP............our children!!!!

"NEVER GIVE IN, Never Give in, NEVER, never, never, never, - in nothing, great or small, large or petty-NEVER give in except to convictions of HONOR & GOOD SENSE"

by Sir Winston Churchill ............... (emotionally abused as a child)       

FLORIDA SENATE

CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE will hear SB # 1280 criminal conduct on Tuesday April 8, 2008 @ 10:45 am

We will keep you updated on the progress of the CRIMINAL CONDUCT bill.

We need to protect our children from "MENTAL INJURY" 

TALLAHASSEE UPDATE ON SB # 1280 CRIMINAL CONDUCT BILL

Tuesday April 8, 2008 the SB # 1280 was put on the agenda but NOT HEARD.

SB # 1280 will not be heard till Wednesday April 16, 2008 @ 3 p.m. in the Criminal Justice committee.

Sen. Dockery did not have time for the CRIMINAL CONDUCT BILL. This bill addresses protecting children from "mental injury" and will "Fix" the loophole that exists in our current system.  We were informed by Sen. Dockery that it will be heard on April 16th.  She apologized with a smile.  

APRIL IS PREVENT CHILD ABUSE month NATION WIDE

There is rise in CHILD ABUSE cases in FLORIDA. 

LEGISLATORS are considering budget cuts to abuse-prevention programs and child-welfare investigators in the state of FLORIDA.

Child-welfare investigators are OVERLOADED NOW. 

CALLS TO FLORIDA'S CHILD -ABUSE HOTLINE are up 15 percent since late 2006, when foreclosures and bankruptcies began to snowball.

RESEARCH shows that financial stress is a key trigger of child abuse & neglect.  Can the state of Florida afford to put our children at risk????? 

********REMEMBER GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRISTS ....state address

Gov. Crist in his state of the state address said " Our greatest obligation is to our children.  But often it is their voice that goes unheard or overlooked.  Our children need a voice." 

OUR CHILDREN DO NEED A VOICE!!!!!!!!

FLORIDA LEGISLATORS need to PROTECT OUR CHILDREN!!!!!

PLEASE EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATORS

EMAIL THEM NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

Email Governor Charlie Crist:  Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com

We need to "PROTECT ALL OUR CHILDREN" in the state.

WE NEED TO MAKE THIS A PRIORITY!!!!!!!!   

Florida ...legislators are not looking out for the children in the state and that is SAD for the children.  

Gov. Crist spoke wonderful words about the children in his state address but what is he doing to help these children.........BUDGET cuts....taking away essential programs that the children need...what happened to the children who need a voice?????? 

These legislators need to step up to the plate for the children or get VOTED OUT!!!!

Children don't vote so these politicians don't worry about their issues.......they have their own agenda and children issues don't seem to be it!!!

Politicians come out at election time and say what you want to hear.... bottom line is these politicians don't care.......

Actions of these Senators speaks volumes!!!!!!    

COMMENTS & CONCERNS from recent PSL NEWS article

Childs Cry for Help is receiving calls and emails concerning the comments printed in this mornings newspaper.

The PSL NEWS stated...The sight of an enraged parent screaming at a young child in the supermarket is embarrassing to most people.  But for Jodi Walsh, it's more than public discomfort.  It's emotional child abuse.

These statements printed are incorrect and and are not comments or statements made by Jodi Walsh nor Childs Cry for Help, Inc.   

This bill will "NOT" constitute "Mental Injury" or "Emotional child abuse" for "YELLING" at your child in a supermarket.

Parents cannot be criminally prosecuted for getting upset at their children.  Many adults say things to their children or may get upset with their children's actions at times; however that does "NOT" imply parents are emotionally abusing their children.  

This bill will protect children from "Mental Injury".  This bill refers to unprotected speech by the First Amendment.  Unprotected speech is fighting words, threats, child pornography, and speech that illicites a criminal act.  

The United States Supreme Court has recognized that are few categories of speech that are so harmful and so lacking in value that they are unworthy of First Amendment protection and that is what this bill is referencing.

We are working on protecting our children from "mental injury" ... clearly no legislator in the state of Florida would tell a parent or adult that you cannot get mad at your child or discipline them or yell at them. 

Parents have the right to discipline their children.  Clearly everyone may be guilty of  loosing their temper at one point with their children but that "does not" make you a criminal!!!!!  

Childs Cry for Help, Inc.

(772) 985-1700