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

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.  Although many parents and teens never believe that dating abuse will happen to them, they believe they are immune to such behavior, they couldn't be more wrong. Domestic violence doesn't discriminate. Parents, what you need to know if you suspect your child is in a bad relationship: You can look for some early warning signs of abuse that can help you identify if your child is in an abusive relationship before it’s too late. Some of these signs include: Your child’s partner is extremely jealous or possessive. You notice unexplained marks or bruises. Your child’s partner emails or texts excessively. You notice that your son or daughter is depressed or anxious. Your son or daughter stops participating in extracurricular activities or other interests. Your child stops spending time with other friends and family. Your child’s partner abuses other people or animals. Your child begins to dress differently. What c...

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...

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...

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....