PREVENT CHILD ABUSE KENTUCKY JOINED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON TO LAUNCH ‘ARE THEY GOOD FOR YOUR KIDS?’ CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN

Frankfort, Ky. (April 5, 2021) —Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky was joined by Attorney General Daniel Cameron to announce the launch of a child sexual abuse prevention campaign entitled, “Are They Good for Your Kids?” The campaign challenges parents and caregivers to consider the adult influences in the lives of their children and equips them with tips and resources to recognize and prevent Kentucky’s youth from being groomed for abuse.

“The ‘Are They Good for Your Kids?’ campaign offers adults the tools they need to help prevent Kentucky’s kids from exploitation and abuse,” said Attorney General Cameron. “Children are profoundly impacted by the adult influences in their life, and it’s important for parents and caregivers to consider who their child is interacting with. It takes collaboration and dedication from all of us to address child abuse and neglect in the Commonwealth, and we are proud to support Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky in their relentless efforts to keep Kentucky kids safe.”

The campaign, launched during Child Abuse Prevention Month, was developed by Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky and funded by a grant from the Kentucky Child Victims’ Trust Fund, administered by the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board within the Attorney General’s Office. The campaign aims to stop child abuse before it starts by arming every Kentucky adult with the information they need to prevent and identify predator grooming before it leads to child sexual abuse.

“Nearly 60 percent of child abuse victims never report exploitation, making it the most underreported form of maltreatment,” said Jill Seyfred, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky Executive Director. “Thanks to the support of the Child Victims’ Trust Fund, we have developed this campaign to raise awareness about the importance of carefully choosing who you allow to influence your children. The title of the campaign, ‘Are They Good for Your Kids?’ is the first question adults should ask when allowing someone else to care for their children.”

The resources provided by the “Are They Good for Your Kids?” campaign equips adults with tips to determine who should have access to your children and how to have age-appropriate conversations with your children about the dangers of grooming.

The campaign utilizes digital and traditional platforms, including social media and Lextran bus ads, to direct adults in Lexington, Louisville, and Northern Kentucky to visit Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky’s website where they can access tips, toolkits, and training on preventing child sexual abuse.

“Thousands of families ride or see Lextran buses every day,” said Jill Barnett, Lextran General Manager. “We are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this campaign that will make our community a safer place, for our riders and their children.”

To learn more about the campaign, visit Pcaky.org/AreTheyGood4YourKids. To learn more about the Child Victims’ Trust Fund, click here.

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PCAK Speaks Out Against Racism and Aims to Prevent its Lasting Impact on Children’s Lives

As racial inequities and injustices permeate our nation, we want to let you know we hear you, we see you, and we stand with you. Racism is an Adverse Childhood Experience that causes toxic stress and trauma; and where there is trauma, our children are impacted. So, it is with aching hearts we pledge to do our work through an equity lens and to be intentional in working collaboratively with our partners, elected and appointed officials to stop the inequities that traumatize our children and follow them through their entire lives. This struggle is our struggle and we are deeply committed to working with you to build a Kentucky where all children, youth, and families can thrive in safe, stable and nurturing environments. We look forward to partnering with you in our efforts to make a change.

As Risk of Child Abuse Rises, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky Provides Critical Training to Frontline Professionals

Lexington, KY – In times of high stress and uncertainty, the risk of child abuse and neglect increases. This risk, coupled with the drastic decline in child abuse and neglect reports since the COVID-19 crisis began, moved statewide nonprofit Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (PCAK) to action. In PCAK’s commitment to ensuring cutting edge information is continuously disseminated to frontline professionals and experts across the state, a refresher course was provided with tools and information needed to keep children safe from child sexual abuse. 

“Limited interaction outside the home during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the danger of undetected child abuse and neglect for many of Kentucky’s at-risk youth,” said Attorney General Daniel Cameron. “I am especially grateful to Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky for their continued work to provide resources to our frontline professionals, including social workers and members of the law enforcement community, through virtual training opportunities. Our children deserve to be protected, and, as Kentuckians, we must do everything we can to defend the innocence of our youth.”

In this refresher of Protecting Your Children: Advice from Child Molesters on May 12, provided with funding from the Child Victim’s Trust Fund, frontline professionals, such as law enforcement, social workers and therapists, were taught not only what to look for to determine if a child is being groomed by a potential predator, but how to talk to children, parents and caregivers about abuse and offender behavior.

“This is unchartered waters for us all, but everyone has a responsibility to keep children safe, especially now,” said Executive Director Jill Seyfred. “Our most vulnerable population is counting on us, and PCAK wants to lead the charge as a resource and advocate for child welfare during these uncertain times.” 

Encompassing child serving organizations from all 172 of Kentucky’s school districts, those trained gained valuable insight on the latest child sexual abuse prevention research, empowering them to drive community-focused solutions, recognize concerning adult behavior and educate peers to keep thousands of Kentucky children safe. 

Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky and its partners in the community who have participated in this refresher course remain committed to the mission of preventing child abuse and neglect before it ever occurs. Through education, awareness, advocacy and training PCAK hopes to inspire action and expand solutions statewide.

PCAK will be providing additional trainings in the months to come. To ensure professionals, advocates and caregivers receive the latest information relevant to today’s new normal, PCAK will be providing training in Recognizing and Reporting in the Times of COVID-19, Safe Sleep Practices and more. 

To learn more or to request a virtual training, visit www.pcaky.org.  

Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky is the Commonwealth’s leading nonprofit committed to the prevention of the abuse and neglect of Kentucky’s children through advocacy, awareness, education and training. Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky serves parents and families to ensure healthy, safe environments for all children, they are the Kentucky affiliate of Prevent Child Abuse America.