LASD Parks Bureau personnel teaching "BRAVE" classes at various County Parks
In December 2009, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department assumed responsibility for providing patrol services to the 177 County Parks throughout Los Angeles County. A newly created Parks Bureau became the catalyst for building valuable partnerships to improve services and safety at all Los Angeles County Parks. Based on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children statistics, 25 percent of all stranger abductions occur in a park or wooded area; and based on these statistics, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department implemented a new training program reaching out to parents and their children.
On May 1, 2012, Parks Bureau personnel began teaching safety Programs at County Parks. Sheriff's sworn personnel and Parks and Recreation staff provide hands-on, activity based, physical skills training to the general public, specifically to parents and their children.
On April 1, 2014, Parks Bureau personnel began teaching "BRAVE" classes at various County Parks in which 350 children have attended so far.
The Joyful Child's BRAVE Workshops are 90-minute, age- appropriate safety lessons that include verbal and physical skills to defend against sexual abuse, violence, and abduction.
BRAVE Workshops are offered to Pre-K and Elementary School students through a partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Parks Bureau, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Joyful Child Foundation.
The goal of The Joyful Child's BRAVE Workshops is to reduce the risk of victimization by providing knowledge and skills about personal safety to children. The lessons are designed to nurture each student's ability to recognize potential dangers, verbalize discomfort or a need for help, and physically resist abduction, assault, or violence. Children are empowered to make brave, safe, and healthy choices.
Parents are encouraged to attend the workshop in order to continue to reinforce the lessons shared.
The Commander of Parks Bureau, Captain Holly M. Perez said, "Keeping our children safe at the County Parks is our top priority."
The Joyful Child Foundation-In Memory of Samantha Runnion is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization founded in 2002 after the abduction, molestation and murder of five-year old Samantha Runnion. In order to prevent child sexual abuse and abduction The Joyful Child Foundation will:
Be the resource for concerned parents to engage in the movement to stop predatory crimes against children.
Provide proactive education and empowerment tools to children and parents.
Facilitate collaboration among individuals, non-profit organizations, schools, businesses, and government to create sustainable community initiatives to ensure that safety education for child protection continue in perpetuity.
http://www.thejoyfulchild.org
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