Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Kentuckians who are child victims of sexual abuse deserve to have their voices heard, and they are one step closer to that opportunity today with passage of House Bill 47 by the Kentucky House. HB 47, sponsored by Representative Lynn Bechler, creates an opportunity for child victims of sexual assault or abuse to seek justice through civil claims [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Child abuse is a community issue, and there are many ways to we can all play a role in prevention. Today, the Kentucky House confirmed state lawmakers’ role in prevention by passing Senate Bill 40 through consent orders. SB 40, championed by Senator Ralph Alvarado, will ensure foster care agencies have access to the necessary information about employees, [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates When children cannot remain safely with their parents, relatives and close family friends often step up to help care for them. Undertaking the full-time responsibility for raising a child – or children – who have experienced trauma often include physical, emotional, social, legal, and financial challenges for caregivers. These families need and deserve support so they can best [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Kentuckians who are child victims of sexual abuse deserve their voice to be heard, and House Bill 47 takes steps to ensure that happens. HB 47, sponsored by Representative Lynn Bechler and passed by the House Judiciary Committee today, creates an opportunity for child victims of sexual assault or abuse to seek justice through civil claims or to [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates The Commonwealth has made strides in child welfare system reforms in recent years, but we must do more when it comes to preventing child abuse from ever occurring. That’s why Senate Bill 40 is so important: it closes fault lines in the system to protect children in foster care from harm and does so in a direct and pragmatic [...]