Frankfort, KY — Statewide child abuse prevention leader, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, was joined by the Governor and First Lady, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and other state officials on the grounds of the Capitol today as they kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month.
One of the rallying points for the bipartisan gathering was the passage of House Bill 207, which was a legislative priority for Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Dietz who represents District 65 in Northern Kentucky, defines “child sex dolls” as well as “computer generated images” and “digitazation.” The legislation is heralded as groundbreaking by Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky Executive Director, Jill Seyfred. “Our partnership with the KY State Police and the Attorney General’s Office in working with Rep. Dietz to get this bill across the finish line will prove to save countless children from on-line victimization. We know lives will be saved because of the passage of this Bill,” Seyfred said.
The child abuse prevention organization also unveiled a new tool designed to appeal to children and promote on-line safety. A coloring book featuring KSP canines May and Cam is available statewide by contacting the organization at pcaky@pcaky.org. The coloring book is the first of its kind in the nation between a statewide law enforcement entity and a statewide child abuse prevention organization.
The Governor and Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lesa Dennis also provided details about a $9 million investment in Kentucky’s child welfare system by the Doris Duke Foundation. Kentucky is one of four sites selected by the Foundation, joining OR, SC and Washington DC.
More than 150 people packed the Rotunda to hear the dignitaries speak, prior to planting 4,000 blue and silver pinwheels on the grounds of the Capitol. Each pinwheel represents 12 children born in Kentucky last year. The event was sponsored by Managed Care Organizations WellCare and Aetna.
