Children at Risk: My Fight Against Child Abuse--A Personal Story and a Public Plea

The Florida Senator describes her childhood experience as a victim of attempted sexual molestation, explains what family and friends can do to prevent and to deal with child abuse, and details legislative recommendations to protect children

When Hawkins, the first woman from Florida to serve in the Senate, announced at a forum on children's issues that she was a victim of sexual molestation as a youngster, she was inundated with responses from women with similar experiences. Her childhood trauma had been lessened by the intervention of a perceptive parent, yet few of the women Hawkins heard from had had such family insight or support. The author, who chairs the Subcommittee on Children, Family, Drugs and Alcoholism, here addresses the growing national problem of child abuse. She discusses case histories, outlines preventive steps, legislative and parental, recommends national and local resources, and provides a checklist to help individuals protect their children.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Senator Hawkins, currently chair of the Subcommittee on Children, Family, Drugs, and Alcoholism, was a victim of sexual abuse as a child. Her book describes the sexual, emotional, and physical abuse suffered by thousands of children each year and suggests ways to protect children from such trauma. The senator effectively uses personal stories told to her after her own story appeared to point out the right and wrong ways to handle child abuse. She also recommends action at federal, state, and local levels to strengthen legislation dealing with abused, missing, or runaway children. An excellent appendix describes organizations providing assistance to missing and exploited children and their families and/or working for legislative improvement. Recommended. Jodith Janes, University Hospitals of Cleveland Lib.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.