The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Although this is a sensitive and difficult topic to talk about, it is a necessary discussion to have. Education is key to prevention. The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) is a statewide nonprofit organization committed to victims and survivors of sexual violence and the sexual assault crisis programs who serve them. FCASV serves as a resource to the state on sexual violence issues. Each year they host a statewide conference and many trainings, bringing state-of-the-art information from around the nation to Florida. FCASV provide technical assistance to agencies seeking to improve their services for rape victims, and provide up-to-date information to the public. By using the toll free information line, callers can access information from their resource library or from their network of national resources. FCASV provides information, assistance and leadership on all aspects of sexual violence, including rape, child abuse, stal...

Join Lauren Book-Lim , abuse survivor and founder of Lauren’s Kids, during her 500-mile walk from across Florida--from Aventura to the state capitol in Tallahassee. Lauren’s Walk is intended to raise awareness for Sexual Abuse Awarenesss Month. Lauren’s journey will begin at an Aventura house where her abuse first occurred on Friday, April 2, and end at the Capitol Building on Wednesday, April 20, 2010. Upon her arrival at the Capitol, her foundation, Lauren’s Kids , will host a rally to encourage and support passage of all pending legislation to protect children from sexual assault. Her 500-mile walk symbolizes a survivor’s long, painful healing journey to shed the shame—a journey that requires love, support and understanding from family, friends and trained professionals. Lauren is walking during Sexual Abuse Awareness Month to bring awareness to help prevent childhood sexual abuse, but also to reach out to survivors of all ages who might not have disclosed their “dark, hidden...

In my previous articles relating to dangerous games that teens will play, most have involved your teenager physically being a participant. With the emphasis on "physically" present. CNN recently reported on a new disturbing video game teens are playing, RapeLay . It begins with a girl, her sister and mother on a train platform. They get on the subway and you, as the video game player, can begin your sexual assault of all of them. Grope and rape - all part of the game. What part of this concept is acceptable to any parent? This game, although started in Japan, has gone viral and people all over the world are now playing it. No one should play a game where the only way to win is to rape! April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month . It is an ideal time to sit down and talk to your teens about not only this game, but other issues such as dating abuse , sexual assault and other topics which may be uncomfortable, however can save a teen from experiencing an extr...

This month is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Since 2006 Congress has officially recognized the first week in February as " National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week ," and this year, for the first time, Congress has designated the entire month as a time to raise awareness of this important issue! You can do your part to raise awareness of teen dating violence and abuse this month by encouraging people to join the MADE (Moms And Dads for Education To Stop Teen Dating Abuse) movement! ANYONE can join the MADE coalition by visiting: http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/made/petition.html Parents need to open the lines of communication with their teens. Love is Not Abuse is an organization that provides information and tools that men, women, children, teens and corporate executives can use to learn more about the issue and find out how they can help end this epidemic of domestic violence. Love is Not Abuse also offers a Parent...

As a parent advocate , I don’t only hear from parents, I hear from teens. Joni Poole is someone very special. Joni has possessed strength, dignity and courage through some horrific events. She is no longer a victim - she is a survivor and one that has a strong message to all others. She has created a website and advocacy group ( Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault and Rape Awareness ) to educate others and hopefully prevent sexual abuse and assualt. Take a moment to read her story and pass it on - you don’t know who may benefit. Here is Joni’s story - and please read her website at http://www.saaraonline.org/ : My name is Joni Poole. I am a 17 year old Senior in high school. I am telling my story in hopes that it will help others who have been a victim of a sexual crime. I have also provided Public Information, from the Georgia Department of Corrections , about my offender within my story. On August 22, 2007, I was at work at a Toy Breed Dog Kennel. Near the end of my shift, around 7:45 P.M....