SWFL legislator wants to pass ‘Serena’s Law’ to close loophole for child predators

A state lawmaker says children are being exposed to predators in the very places we trust kids will be safe. A member of Florida congress is working to close this loophole. Her inspiration came from a survivor in Southwest Florida.

Florida House Rep. Jenna Persons (R-Fla) of District 78 said the solution to separate child predators and potential victims is quite simple. She believes Florida must standardize the way each county reports cases of abuse and the abusers.

That way, if a business, club or any organization doing a background check on a person and they have a history of sexual abuse against a child, it will pop up.

Childhood is a time of love, laughter and innocence. At least, it’s supposed to be.

“We have a young woman who, when she was a minor, was a victim of child sexual abuse,” Persons said.

Her name is Serena.

Her family did everything right after what happened to her was so wrong, only to discover her attacker was still in contact with children.

“He’s working, volunteering at a local youth organization,” Persons said.

Serena’s abuser continued to surround himself with children.

“In this case, the youth organization was performing background checks,” Persons said. “So how did this protective order, this injunction to protect a minor, not show up on a background check?”

It was because of a gap in the system. It’s a gap Persons wants to slam shut with new legislation she calls “Serena’s law.”

MORE: HB 1229 Public Records

“Now, every clerk of court has different policies and different standards,” Persons said.

Persons’ bill would establish one uniform way to report abusers.

Meg Dalabes with the Abuse Counseling & Treatment told us abusers look for any loophole they can find.

“They think it’s OK,” Dalabes. “They’re looking for ways to get more access, and they are looking for ways that they can get away with it.”

Dalabes works with adults who were sexually abused as children. She believes its critical lawmakers do anything and everything they can to prevent the turmoil and trauma she sees on a daily basis.

“It’s especially disheartening to hear about it happening if someone could have prevented that,” Dalabes said. “If that could have not taken place.”

Persons is a Republican who joined forces with a Democrat, Florida Congresswoman Robin Bartleman, to get this bill going. She hopes the legislature will hear the measure during the 60-day session that starts Tuesday.