Prevention through Education
Prevention of child abuse is only possible through awareness, understanding, and action. As the lead child abuse response center in the Barren River Area, our programming works to increase community understanding of child sexual abuse by equipping children, families, and professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to keep children safe.
Types of Prevention
What this looks like
Increase Community Awareness: Strengthen recognition of BRACAC as the community’s trusted resource and expert in child sexual abuse response and prevention. Increase understanding of available services, how to access support, and BRACAC’s role in supporting children and families throughout the healing process.
Strengthen The Communities Response: Equip community partners with accessible, role-specific education to recognize, respond to, and prevent child sexual abuse. Prioritize law enforcement, DCBS, schools, MDT partners, referral sources, and community organizations. Ensure participants understand both their responsibilities and BRACAC’s role without overwhelming them with unnecessary detail.
Expand true prevention education: Help children and families recognize safe, supportive adults and understand how to respond when something happens. Expand education beyond the systems children enter after abuse occurs by reaching parents, caregivers, youth, and schools, churches, clubs, gyms, and other trusted community settings. Bring prevention education into the environments where children and families already build relationships.
Why Does Education Matter?
Children can experience additional trauma when they have to repeatedly tell their story to different people. A coordinated system helps reduce unnecessary repetition and ensures that children are connected with the appropriate professionals and services.
Prevention and education also address what happens before a child ever reaches BRACAC.
When professionals do not understand BRACAC's role, they may not know when or how to make an appropriate referral. When adults do not know how to respond to a disclosure, their questions or reactions may unintentionally increase a child's shame, fear, or distress.
We envision a community where:
- Children know they can tell a trusted adult.
- Adults know how to respond.
- Professionals understand their role.
- Partners understand BRACAC's role.
- Families have access to prevention information.
- Community members know where to turn for help.
- Fewer children experience abuse or experience delays in receiving help.
What Can You Do?
Help educate yourself and others on what is best for the child. Attend, host, or share a training opportunity. Our trainings are tailored to participants’ developmental focus, roles, and areas of expertise.
Our Curriculums
Minimizing Trauma through Minimal Facts Training
Minimizing Trauma through Minimal Facts training teaches adults how to gather ONLY the essential information needed to make a child abuse report while avoiding unnecessary or leading questions. Participants learn trauma-informed strategies that prioritize the child's emotional safety while preserving the integrity of future investigations.
ROAR - Teaching Children How to Protect Themselves
ROAR helps children protect themselves from abuse by teaching them that it is okay to speak up when someone makes them feel uncomfortable. In Kentucky, 42% of abuse victims are age five or younger, making early prevention especially important. ROAR focuses specifically on this young and vulnerable age group (one that is often overlooked in traditional prevention efforts) by empowering children with the knowledge and confidence to recognize unsafe situations and seek help.
OLLEY
Olley is a movement to change the way we prevent sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The Olley 90-minute training offers a wide array of resources and programs to support parents and caregivers in becoming the protectors they want to be. Olley’s in-person workshop helps parents and caregivers use parenting approaches that prevent child sexual abuse. The workshop is facilitated by certified trainers who teach both the WHY and the HOW of protection. The workshop offers a bold shift based on adult learning theories, promotes evidence-based prevention practices, fosters compassion and optimism, and helps caregivers build essential skills.
Healthy Relationships
Designed for middle school students, this 30-minute interactive training explores healthy relationships, personal boundaries, respectful communication, and recognizing red flags. Students learn how to set boundaries, identify unhealthy behaviors, and recognize when and where to seek support.
Upstream Academy Trainings
Developed by Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky
Upstream Academy Certified Trainer: Debbie Vonnahme, Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center
Community Approach to Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect (1 hour)
Preventing child abuse and neglect is a shared responsibility—and it starts with a strong, informed community. This session explores the many forms of prevention and the vital role every community member plays in creating safe, nurturing environments for children. Participants will gain insight into the root causes and risk factors of abuse and neglect and learn how collective action can strengthen families and support prevention efforts. Together, we can build a culture of protection, connection, and care.
Community Approach to Preventing Abusive Head Trauma and Promoting Safe Sleep (1.5 hours)
Oftentimes child fatalities and near fatalities at the hands of caregivers are preventable and can even be unintentional. This workshop will explore practical steps that individuals and communities can take to help caregivers create safer environments for infants and children. Key topics will include an overview of Abusive Head Trauma and safe sleep practices. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of these issues and learn about accessible tools and resources that can support prevention efforts to protect young lives.
“ARE THEY GOOD FOR YOUR KIDS?”: A Community Approach to Preventing Child Sexual Abuse (1.5 Hours)
Child sexual abuse is preventable—when adults are informed, empowered, and proactive. This workshop centers on Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky’s Are They Good for Your Kids? campaign, offering practical tools, resources, and knowledge to help adults protect children in their lives and communities. Participants will learn how to recognize grooming behaviors, understand healthy sexual development in children, and take concrete steps to create safer environments. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or community member, this session will equip you with the insight and strategies to make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
LEAN on Me Kentucky (1 Hour)
Lean On Me Kentucky is more than a campaign—it’s a movement and a call to action for every Kentuckian to play a role in creating safe, supportive communities where children and families can thrive. This interactive session empowers participants to become Community Supporters by embracing the principles of Listening, Empathy, Affirmation, and Non-Judgment. Attendees will learn how to foster environments that strengthen families, reduce risk factors, and promote protective factors—helping prevent crises before they occur. Join us to discover how small, compassionate actions can make a big difference.
