Why We Do It

In Florida’s 19th Circuit of the Treasure Coast, which includes county’s of St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee, a combined census of 123,505 children under the age of 18^[1] are at risk of becoming a victim of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or severe neglect.

In the U.S. in 2020 there were approximately 618,000^[2] verified cases of children who were a victim of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. Unfortunately, 1,750 died as a result.

In 2020 there were 49,043^[3] verified cases of child abuse or neglect in the State of Florida with 1,414 verified cases in Circuit 19 and 9 children died because of the abuse or neglect.

Currently, 1 in 7^[4] children have experienced child abuse or neglect this year, and this is likely an underestimate. The United States is also on track for approximately 1,800 children to die because of abuse or neglect in 2022.