September 2008 - The Parklander Magazine

Coral Springs Mom
Takes On
Predators
By Andrea G. Rollin
S
Some mothers get angry. Others get busy—making a difference—like
Jaemi Levine of Coral Springs.
In 2004, Levine started Mothers Against Predators, Inc. (MAP), an
organization made up of a group of parents, political leaders and law
enforcement personnel whose mission it is to protect neighborhood
children online. Levine established MAP after her daughter, Nicole,
became the victim of an online predator.
“At the time (2004), my daughter had just turned 12 years old,”
explained Levine, 49. “I was still picking up the Barbie dolls off her
floor, and tucking her in at night.” After Nicole was assaulted and
narrowly escaped molestation at the hands of an online predator—a
29-year-old man with a foreign accent—Levine knew that it was time
to take action.
Levine became concerned by her daughter’s increasingly distant nature.
That unusual behavior prompted her to begin reading Nicole’s Instant
Messages (IMs). From Nicole’s uncharacteristic behavior and some
disturbing IMs, Levine recognized the telltale signs of rape.
“We had always had a special relationship,” Levine pointed out about
her and Nicole, an honor roll student who was involved in band and
always had friends. “In hindsight, I realized that she had been
withdrawing and spending more time in her room alone.”
“My reaction to figuring this out was one of pure rage and sadness,
followed by the loss of innocence, and disbelief, that this could happen
to us,” she explained. Levine also experienced fear that the predator may
come back and hurt Nicole again, or her sisters, gratitude that Nicole
was alive, and concern that she would handle this situation in the most
effective way possible without damaging Nicole further.
What followed was a family meeting, which revealed more and
more details, a visit with a psychologist (a close family friend), several
hours of discussion, and, finally, the filing of a report with the Coral
Springs Police Department.
“Experience is the best teacher,” expressed Jaemi Levine, who
subsequently founded, and serves as president of, MAP.
A non-profit corporation whose mandate it is to promote legislation
and education to facilitate the creation of an effective defense against
Internet predators, MAP strives to educate children and parents on
effective ways to be protected from Internet predators, and how to
properly report inappropriate or illegal behavior. The organization
works in partnership with local and national elected officials and law
enforcement to create effective legislation and laws to provide the
needed defenses. Levine said that through MAP, she hopes to raise
awareness of online predators and save lives.
Interestingly enough, the Coral Springs mom may have recently done
just that. A Broward County mother of a young girl who was the victim
of an online predator happened to read about MAP in the Sun-Sentinel,
and contacted Levine. Levine offered advice to the mom, and, as a
result, she reported the crime to the police department, and got her
daughter the counseling she so urgently needed.
“In the past four years, many have realized the need for a strong movement
to stem the tide of violence and exploitation of innocent children,”
Levine expressed. “We are gaining support and making a difference.”
Patte Atkins Grad, a Tamarac City Commissioner, is one such influential
supporter who has joined the cause as chair of MAP’s Board of Directors.
Other government-affiliated board members include Stacy Ritter, Vice
Mayor of Broward County and Ken Gottlieb, Florida State
Representative. Grad pointed out that she was outraged at the thought of
people exploiting the vulnerabilities of innocent children, as in Nicole’s
case, and that her goal was to help spread awareness of the organization.
“While ultimately, I would like to see MAP as a national organization, it
is already carrying out initiatives locally,” she explained. “I have enlisted
the support of other members in the Tamarac Commission.
Tamarac community buildings all have brochures to help educate our
residents. Additionally, I have reached out to other elected officials in
the county and sought their support.” She added that it is gratifying to
see the strong positive response MAP is receiving across the county.
“I recently attended a national conference for Women In Municipal
Government and made elected officials from across the country aware of
what we are trying to do,” Grad pointed out. “My activities as a city commissioner
have afforded me opportunities to promote this awareness.”
Grad first met Levine three years ago when the Coral Springs mom was
running for a school board position. Levine’s story moved Grad so much
that she joined forces with her in an effort to “keep this situation from
happening to anyone else, ever again.“We must educate parents and
children of the danger,” Grad expressed. “With education hopefully will
come the awareness necessary to confront the problem.” She added that
students must become aware of danger signs, parents must monitor
their children’s online activities, and law enforcement must become
more involved to deter this sort of behavior.
What does Grad, and, in all likelihood, Levine, hope for the future
“My dream is to see the day that a group like this is no longer necessary.”
For more information about Mothers Against Predators, log onto
www.wearemap.org.
Andrea G. Rollin is a journalist/editor who writes for local magazines,
newspapers and businesses. She lives in Boca Raton.
50 SEPTEMBER 2008