NORTH PORT, Fla. (WWSB) – The City of North Port and Sarasota County Schools are bringing parents, students and community organizations together next week for a conversation about protecting children from abuse, exploitation and online dangers.
The event, “You Are Not Alone: Protecting Our Children,” is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Morgan Family Community Center, 6207 W. Price Blvd.
North Port City Manager Jerome Fletcher and Chris Parenteau with Sarasota County Schools said the goal is to help families recognize warning signs, know how to respond, and connect with resources when a child may need help.
Fletcher said the need for the conversation comes as local agencies continue seeing cases involving child abuse, exploitation and other safety concerns.
“We’re seeing the repetitiveness of it that just is not stopping,” Fletcher said. “It’s the volume of it, and we do know that it happens everywhere and it’s not specific to a school or area.”
Officials said those concerns aren’t limited to schools or a particular part of the community.
For parents, one of the biggest challenges is recognizing when a child’s behavior may signal that something is wrong.
Chris Parenteau with Sarasota County Schools said changes in behavior can be a warning sign, including a child becoming unusually angry, withdrawing from friends or family, changing sleep patterns or losing interest in activities they once enjoyed.
Officials also said parents should watch for changes in how their children use technology.
As social media, online activity, and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, school and city leaders said parents don’t need to be experts on every platform or technology.
Instead, they encourage parents to stay engaged, ask questions and maintain an open line of communication.
Fletcher said parents should take notice if a child appears to be hiding something from them, but cautioned that those conversations should not damage the child’s trust.
The event will feature breakout sessions for parents and youth, allowing families to have more focused conversations with experts.
According to the city, sessions will be led by Selah Freedom, the Child Protection Center and SPARCC.
Topics will include recognizing signs of abuse or exploitation, prevention and reporting, online safety and digital awareness.
The North Port Police Department’s Cyber Crimes Unit will lead the closing session.
More than 15 community partners are also expected to provide information and resources, including services involving family support, mental health, victim advocacy and digital safety.
School officials said they also want students to leave knowing where they can turn for help.
“We want all of our children to have a trusted adult on campus,” Parenteau said, so they know where to go when “something’s not right or something seems off.”
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend with their middle and high school-aged children.
The event is free, and educators and others who work with children and families are also welcome.
Officials said the larger goal is to make sure families don’t feel like they have to navigate these issues alone.
“It’s not isolated to the schools. It’s not isolated to the region,” Fletcher said. “This is something that we’re all going through.”
For more information about the event and its agenda, visit the City of North Port’s website.
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