An awareness campaign has received funding to help protect Kentucky’s missing and runaway children from human trafficking. The Department of Justice awarded the Attorney General’s Office of Trafficking and Abuse Prevention and Prosecution $175,000 for the effort.
Ali Parham is Deputy Director of the TAPP Office. Parham said the campaign is geared toward preventing runaway and missing children.
“It dovetails into the problem of human trafficking because the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, they estimate that one in six runaways are approached by a human trafficker within the first 48 hours of going missing,” said Parham.
Parham explained the campaign aims to reach everyone who interacts with children.
“It is important for our parents and caregivers to be aware of the signals that a child might be looking to run away. We will also be providing training for law enforcement, social workers and other professionals that are involved when a child goes missing in the state,” said Parham.
Parham said part of the effort is training to help those professionals recognize and understand the varied reasons children run away.
She said it will also take steps to strengthen community policing.
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