Sexual Abuse Prevention Curriculum Launched at Elementary Schools

State leaders will join with childhood sexual abuse survivor and advocate Lauren Book to launch Florida’s new sexual abuse prevention curriculum, Safer, Smarter Kids in elementary schools throughout the state Thursday, Sept. 27. 

The curriculum, which has been delivered to every kindergarten class in Florida, helps children learn how to sidestep the traps predators set, without being explicit or scary.  

Florida becomes the first state to implement a sexual abuse prevention curriculum in schools, although other states have passed a mandate to develop such an education program.

The program will be formally launched Thursday morning in Tallahassee. Florida Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll, Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families David Wilkins, Executive Director of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents Bill Montford, and Lauren Book, Sexual Abuse Survivor and Founder of Lauren’s Kids will speak at the launch.

Lauren Book will be sharing the results of an effectiveness study, conducted by the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, focused on curriculum effectiveness and learning gains in personal safety.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, contact your child's elementary school.