The Child Advocacy Center helped 3,235 people who were affected by child abuse | Kelli McClintock/Unsplash
The Child Advocacy Center helped 3,235 people who were affected by child abuse | Kelli McClintock/Unsplash
A new Florida tax package that easily passed both state legislative chambers proposes to incentivize businesses to participate in community programs to help children.
House Bill 7061 has provisions similar to the Strong Families Tax Credit, which was taken from the now-defunct Senate Bill 908. The provision allows for businesses to earn up to $5 million in dollar-for-dollar tax credits for donations to charitable organizations that promote healthy and strong families. These can include such things as preventing abuse, involved fathers and educational aid.
The charitable organizations eligible for the credited donations are designated by the Department of Children and Families. The bill lists several services that eligible organizations can perform, such as helping with child abuse or neglect, helping with physically or mentally ill children, offering workplace services to impoverished families and more.
Much of the positive work that these charitable organizations provide for their communities relies heavily on donations. Sabrina Harris, development director at the Child Advocacy Center, told WUFT that donations were essential to her organization's work.
The Child Advocacy Center helped 3,235 people affected by child abuse in 2020, including 1,895 child victims. Of that group of children, 55 were victims of human trafficking and 15 victims of child pornography.
COVID-19 is a major factor for the increase in child abuse in 2020 due to children remaining in stressful home settings with nowhere to escape or report misconduct.
In 2018, more than 60% of child abuse reports and neglect stemmed from professionals like police officers, teachers, lawyers and social service employees, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data. One in five of the reports was made by educators.
Due to COVID-19, nationwide remote learning dramatically decreased the likelihood of victims reporting abuse or the likelihood of it being recognized by professionals.
Florida House Bill 7061 is designed to provide children with a higher chance of escaping traumatic situations.
“Every Florida citizen is responsible,” Harris said. “If they suspect any child abuse, they are responsible to report it.”
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