Inform Article

Child Safety: What We Can Learn from the Barahona Tragedy

02.25.2011
Posted by Nicole Stroud of YourPBC.org
http://www.cbs12.com/video/?videoId=802246459001&play=now
Child Safety: What We Can Learn from the Barahona Tragedy picture

In the wake of the Barahona tragedy in south Florida, in which Jorge Barahona was found with his 10-year-old adpoted daughter's body in the back of his truck and his 10-year-old adopted son covered in toxic chemicals, local nonprofit Kidsafe turns the discussion to preventing future child abuse.

Kidsafe's Sally Berenzweig spoke at Sandpiper Shores Elementary School in West Boca Raton <CBS 12 video>.  "Trust your instincts," she told the parents. "Be a part of the solution."  If you suspect a child is being abused, do something about it.  The Barahona tragedy might have been avoided if someone had spoken up; teachers reported possible abuse as far back as 2005, but no action was taken.

The children in attendance at the KidSafe Foundation Family Event learned to identify 3 trusted adults. They were instructed to talk immediately with one of these adults should they ever experience abuse.

Has this tragedy made you more likely to report suspected child abuse?  Has it affected your behavior in other ways?  Discuss in the comments section below.