KAT Country 103 Interview with Assistant District Attorney Kristine Reed and Supervising Deputy District Attorney Robert Martinelli

Each generation looks to young people to create a brighter future that encourages safe and engaging communities. This hope begins with healthy children being supported by their families, caregivers, teachers, and community. The District Attorney's Office collaborates with local law enforcement agencies and community based organizations to combat horrific crimes committed against some of our most vulnerable citizens - our children.

There are multiple ways that children may become victims of crime, ranging from bullying and harassment at school to dating violence and sexual assault to child abuse and exposure to domestic violence. Also, while it isn't addressed as frequently, children suffer from the effects of the ongoing opioid crisis, too. This type of trauma, if left unaddressed, can have serious consequences on a child's health, ability to succeed in school, and capability to positively contribute to the community.

Local law enforcement conduct undercover operations focused on individuals who seek to molest and assault children through the internet and other opportunities. Our prosecutors work each day to bring justice to those who are victims of child abuse. Our children deserve better and there is so much more we can do together. As part the District Attorneys' efforts to inform the public about child abuse, we ask for you to join us in recognizing this month, April 2019, as National Child Abuse Prevention month. Learn more at: www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth

To listen to our interview with KAT Country, please click here.

Below are a few resources to inform you about the significant impact child abuse has upon our community every day. Please take the time to learn how you can assist our Office and countless others who are here to help victims and families affected by child abuse. Children are resilient, and with the proper support from the adults in their communities, children can avoid lasting damage from the violence they have experienced or witnessed. It takes each and every one of us to stand up and help our community thrive by providing a safe place for children.

Local Resources:

San Joaquin County Family Justice Center - www.sjcfamilyjusticecenter.com - Local partners co-located under one roof to provide resources for survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking and elder abuse crimes

Child Abuse Prevention Council - www.nochildabuse.org - Resources for children and families. Check out their informative video about child abuse and violence called "Every Child Matters, The Lisa Project"

Women's Center Youth and Family Services - www.womenscenteryfs.org - Resources for youth and families.

National Resources:

Protecting your children online - www.security.org/resources/protecting-kids-online

Resources for parents with children involved in youth sports and other safety tips for child abuse prevention - www.healthychildren.org/english/healthy-living/sports/pages/creating-a-safe-environment-to-prevent-abuse-in-youth-sports-a-parent-checklist.aspx

Resources for parents and children, parenting tips and other resources - www.preventchildabuse.org

Information about ACE ("Adverse Childhood Experiences") & the risk of exposure to future violence and other resources for violence prevention - www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/acestudy/index.html

National Sexual Violence Resource Center - www.nsvrc.org - Resources for survivors, family, friends, advocates and educators about sexual violence; information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the "I ask" campaign for the month of April 2019

National Child Abuse Coalition - www.nationalchildabusecoalition.org - Resources for the prevention of child abuse and trauma

Human Trafficking -- www.polarisproject.org -- "helping survivors restore their freedom, preventing more victims, and leveraging data and technology to pursue traffickers wherever they operate."

Visit the Linking Systems of Care website for ideas about how your organization can help streamline victims to services - and reach out to our Victim Advocates in the San Joaquin County Family Justice Center to learn more about the work we are doing locally to ensure that families can receive the help they need by walking through one set of doors.