SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. — The United Nations recognizes Nov. 18 as a global day to prevent violence against children. Kids, especially girls, are at greater risk of experiencing physical, emotional and sexual abuse, according to the UN.

What You Need To Know

  • A group of Tampa-area cyclists rode 20 miles to raise awareness about child abuse

  • Participants also collected 100 stuffed bears to donate to law enforcement

  • Officers and detectives use stuffed bears when interacting with children in crisis to offer them comfort and build trust

On Saturday, a group of cyclists participated in a 20-mile bike ride to raise awareness about the issue and to show solidarity with victims. 

“I hope everybody sees the cycling community in the light that it is - we’re out there to share the road with the drivers, we’re out there to help the community and it’s just our way of giving back," said Matt Scarborough, one of the organizers of the ride.

Participants also collected about 100 stuffed bears to donate to law enforcement. They'll go to people like Detective Christie Shiver, who uses the bears when encountering children who are potential victims of crime.

“They’re in a rough spot," said Shiver, a detective with Tampa Police Department's Special Victims Unit. "They’re dealing with something that most adults have never even dealt with. So it helps to bring comfort, it helps to establish trust between us and the child so that way they can feel comfortable telling us what has happened to them.”

In 2022, more than 8,000 kids between five and 11 years old experienced abuse in Florida, according to data from the state's Department of Children and Families. 

Scarborough said the annual Teddy Bear Ride is all about the children who will benefit and he wants to send them a message of hope and love.

“If I can make a difference and if we can make a difference one day and one life of a child, then it was worth it today," Scarborough said. "I just hope that they remember there’s good things, comfort in this world.”

Scarborough hopes to make the event bigger in the years to come to reach even more children in their time of need. 

Event organizers will be collecting new, unused bears until Dec. 15.

You can drop them off at Bicycle Accident Law, located in Rocky Point in Tampa. The Tampa Police Department also accepts donations year-round.