One of those places is Grayson County's Head Start.
On Wednesday and Thursday (Sept. 21-22) Jennifer Baker, an educator with the Advocacy and Support Center in Elizabethtown, presented the "Red Touch/Green Touch" program to Head Start students in an effort to help them understand the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching and what they can do if they are touched inappropriately and abused by someone.
Speaking to children ranging in age from two and a half to four years, Baker told students that she was there to talk about ways they could keep their bodies "safe and healthy."
"Green touches," she explained, "are touches that make us feel good and make us feel happy."
Baker gave children several examples of what a green touch might be.
They include hugs, high fives, handshakes, pats on the back, a kiss on the cheek (or a kiss good night), and holding hands.
As for red touches, Baker told children that those types of touches "hurt us and make us feel yucky inside."
Examples of red touches include any type of touching, groping or fondling in the bathing suit area or private parts of the body, kicks, pinches and punches.
Baker emphasized to students the "three rules of body safety" and what they can do if they are in a situation where they are being abused.
According to Baker, they should say no!, run away, and then tell an adult they trust.
"Parents, grandparents, doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers and firefighters are among those you can tell if you are getting red touches," Baker told students.
"And if they don't believe you when you first tell someone," Baker continued, "then keep trying and tell someone else."
At the ages of two, three and four, this topic may at first seem a little confusing and unclear to students--as a few still can't completely distinguish between a red touch and a green touch when given examples and asked what type of touch it is.
However, Baker helps illustrate her point (making it a little more clear), with a couple of familiar stories, ("Jack and Jill" and "Little Miss Muffet,") and eventually most kids seem to get what she is trying to explain to them. Her use of puppets also seems to help.
The central focus of Baker's message is simple, "We should only be getting green touches and we should only be giving green touches."
Baker also spoke with several parents on Wednesday.
In discussing some statistics relating to child sex abuse, she said that one in three girls are sexually assaulted or abused by the time they reach 18 and for boys, that number is one in six.
"And around 80 percent of the time, the child knows the perpetrator," Baker added.
"In many cases perpetrators groom the child and work hard to gain the trust of both the parents and the child. In some situations they will use bribery and threats."
She also outlined a few ways to protect children from sexual abuse.
"We should teach children about their bodies and explain what areas are private," she said, "and we shouldn't be afraid to use the proper names for those parts."
Baker also said that we should tell our children that "absolutely no one should be touching you in an area that's private." However, in some situations (trips to the doctor for medical reasons or a parent trying to clean their child) it may be necessary.
"We should also be particular about caregivers," Baker said.
"It doesn't hurt to do background checks and ask yourself, can I trust this person?"
"Another thing we can do to protect children from predators," Baker said, "is tell children the difference between good secrets and bad secrets.
"Explain that bad secrets are one's that hurt."
Baker also points out that when it comes to dealing with a child who has been sexually abused "reaction is important."
She encourages parents to "be calm and don't freak out."
Baker said that if parents overreact there is a strong possibility the child may "clam-up and refuse to talk about the abuse."
She also spoke about the importance of listening.
"Find out the who, what, when and where of the situation and then thank the child with words of encouragement," Baker suggested.
"And of course, therapy and counseling may also play an important role in the child's ability to cope with the abuse."
A non profit organization, the Advocacy and Support Center serves eight counties in the Lincoln Trail area and has a 24-hour crisis line, counseling services, education and awareness programs, victim and medical advocacy and consultation services.
Baker said that she also gives the "Red Touch/Green Touch" program to students in public and private schools, churches, daycares, and also to those who work with children--explaining how they can recognize the signs of sexual abuse.
She said that they also offer programs for high schoolers that focus "more on sexual assault and safe-dating tips."
"Most kids in high school pretty much know what is appropriate and inappropriate touching," Baker said.
Baker and Head Start's Denise Embry have a lot of faith in the "Red Touch/Green Touch" program and both say it has shown successful results.
Recently, a five-year-old Grayson County girl, who was taught the same program at her school, was able to report to police a man who had allegedly committed sex crimes against her.
As a result, Wesley Dale King, 43, of Leitchfield, was arrested and charged with five counts of rape in the first degree, two counts of sodomy in the first degree, two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and two counts of criminal attempt to commit sodomy in the first degree.
King's case is still pending before the court.
To contact the Advocacy and Support Center, call (270) 234-9236 or you can reach them toll-free at 1-877-672-2124.
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