Sex Crimes Up, Domestic Violence Numbers Down in Pasco

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office releases early crime stats and promotes an upcoming fundraiser to benefit county domestic violence and sexual assault shelters.

The number of domestic violence crimes reported to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office in 2012 fell 2 percent below the number of domestic violence crimes reported to the agency in 2011, according to preliminary numbers from the agency. Don’t start cheering just yet. Here’s the bad news: The number of forcible sex offenses that were reported to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in 2012 rose to 38.2 percent above the number of forcible sex offenses reported to the agency in 2011. The total number of forcible sex crimes reported to the agency in 2012 was 188, 52 more than was reported in 2011. Offenses reported as part of the forcible sex crime statistic include rapes committed, rapes attempted, forcible sodomy and forcible fondling.  …

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At The Courthouse

It's Time To Talk About Rapes In Schools

Rapes at Pasco County Schools have rocked the community. Silence right now is not necessarily golden.Take the time to talk about it with your children and neighbors so we can pull together as a community for solutions and change.

It’s a bit quiet out there right now since the two rapes at the school were reported to law enforcement and reported on by the news.  First, I was struck with awe at the strength and shear survival of those young girls who had the courage to report that they were sexually assaulted. Then I wondered what on earth are those parents going through? What are those girls going through now? What about those boys? What about all of their friends, teachers, classmates, neighbors in the community, their relatives and back in their homes? What are those schools doing right now?  I contacted Christine Bates from Sunrise of Pasco, who does community outreach, because I had some questions, and also wanted to know what can we do right now about it.  Here…

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Positively Parenting

Protecting Our Children From Sexual Abuse

Pasco County parents and all grown ups can take positive steps in their families and community to stop child sexual abuse

Preventing sexual abuse is a concern for most parents. Knowing what steps to take to do so, however, isn't something that necessarily comes naturally. This topic is often avoided as it's one that is uncomfortable. Kelly Sinn, L.C.S.W., chief operating officer at Sunrise Domestic and Sexual Violence Center, recently offered her insights on what parents can do to protect their children. After speaking with Sinn, it became clear that a lot of sexual abuse can be stopped and even prevented when parents keep their eyes and ears open, and have a willingness to believe in their children.  Sinn quickly dispelled the myth sexual abuse is most often perpetrated by a stranger. She explained that it is oftentimes someone who knows the child and has …

Victims Are Always On Her Mind

Land O' Lakes woman travels with an empty trunk to collect donations for Sunrise of Pasco County.

Chris Cooper almost always leaves her home or office with the trunk of her car empty. The hope is to see it filled by the end of the day with donations for Sunrise of Pasco County. "We're helping Pasco County residents establish new lives," she explained. For more than four years, Cooper has made an effort to collect donations for women and children who seek refuge at Sunrise. The nonprofit helps domestic violence victims from Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel and east Pasco. It is also the only shelter for sexual violence victims in the county, said Cooper, who serves on the agency's board of directors. At a recent Women In Networking meeting, Cooper saw her trunk filled by members of the group after the luncheon. She pointed out that every …

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7 Stories You May Have Missed

Take a look at some of the biggest stories of the week on Land O' Lakes Patch.

With the kids back in school and the temperatures dipping low, it was an active week in local news. Just in case you missed them, here are some of the most popular stories that appeared on Land O' Lakes Patch:

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Standing Up To Domestic Violence

Cooper Financial Services invites the community to help in its quest to assist victims and their families.

Making sure the victims of domestic and sexual violence don’t stand alone is a mission Chris Cooper takes seriously. “We’re getting the word out,” said Cooper, who along with her husband George owns Cooper Financial Services in Land O’ Lakes. “It’s kind of a hidden disease. It’s a disease that cuts across every socioeconomic class.” For more than four years, Cooper has collected donations for the women and children who seek shelter at Sunrise of Pasco County. The nonprofit agency serves domestic violence victims from Land O’ Lakes and is the only shelter for sexual violence victims in the county, said Cooper, who is on the agency’s board of directors. To make sure Sunrise gets the help it needs, Cooper uses her office as a collection point…

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Stories Land O' Lakes Patch Is Exploring This Week

Share your questions and we'll try to get them answered for you.

It's the start of a brand new week and the first one of 2011. At Land O' Lakes Patch, we plan to hit the ground running. Here are a few of the stories we're looking into this week. We invite you to take part in the process by sharing the questions you'd like us to ask on such stories as: That's just a brief look at the stories on our agenda for the week. We welcome your input and story ideas. Let us know what you'd like to see covered by e-mailing Sherri.Lonon@patch.com.

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Clothing Optional Beyond This Point

More About PANDAbare

Supporting those in need is the avenue to being part of the Pasco community.

PANDAbare is in the closing days of its second annual Food for Families fundraiser with the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank, so far raising nearly $60,000 in food donations. Funds are needed to help get the food contributed to the Suncoast Harvest warehouse where it can help the families in need. To help out, make out a check of any size to Suncoast Harvest Food Bank and mail it to PANDAbare at 23110 State Road 54, No. 269, Lutz, FL 33549. This is only one of many different organizations that PANDAbare supports. They also are helping Sunrise of Pasco County in its mission to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. In addition, Heroes'n Heels has just been added to the list. This organization raises money to provide mammograms for …