Campaign Launched To Bring Child Abuse Awareness

Child abuse is not disappearing any time soon.

Last year, more than 1,100 children were mistreated in Hernando County, including 66 sexual abuse cases, seven asphyxiations, four bone fractures and two deaths.

And advocates expect it will only get worse as tough economic times add stress on caregivers trying to make ends meet.

So on Thursday the private arm of the Department of Children and Families launched a publicity campaign to reduce future neglect.

The End Kids' Tears program is two-pronged: Raise awareness about existing abuse and equip the public with ways to prevent abuse.

Organizers with Kids Central Inc. will accomplish the first task through a series of radio and TV spots. Similar print ads and posters feature black-and-white photos of destitute children and slogans such as: Why did you hurt me?

More information is provided on a Web site: www.endkidstears.com.

A series of forums will focus on teaching the public ways to recognize signs of abuse and ways to intervene. The solution can be as simple as developing relationships with your neighbors, said Reg Holden, a consultant with Kids Central.

"The community really needs to wake up," Holden said. Child abuse "happens across all economic strata."

The prevention summit in Hernando County will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Brooksville Country Club.

If someone doesn't step in, this epidemic will become more severe, Holden said.

Sheriff Richard Nugent calls the number of abuse cases in the county "really startling." Kids Central immediately had his support when they proposed hosting the kickoff at his headquarters, he said.

"If it has to do with kids, we're certainly on board with that," he said.

The sheriff's Web site, hernandosheriff.org, will soon have links to some of the TV ads related to the media campaign.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.