KETV Chronicle – Project Harmony
It’s one of the largest child advocacy groups in the nation, and based right here in Omaha. In this edition of Chronicle, we take an in-depth look at the impact of Project Harmony.
KETV Chronicle – Project Harmony
It’s one of the largest child advocacy groups in the nation, and based right here in Omaha. In this edition of Chronicle, we take an in-depth look at the impact of Project Harmony.
WEBVTT >> KETV NEWSWATCH 7, CHRONICLING THE STORIES IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY. STORIES MAKING A DIFFERENCE. STORIES THAT MATTER TO YOU. THIS IS KETV NEWSWATCH 7'S CHRONICLE. CHILD ABUSE DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE. SO IN ANY COMMUNITY IN ANY NEIGHBORHOOD THERE ARE CHILDREN THAT ARE SILENTLY CARRYING THE BURDEN OF THIS ISSUE. >> WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASING NUMBER OF THOSE KIDS BEING YOUNGER. ABOUT 75 PERCENT OF THE KIDS ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 12 - MORE THAN HALF OF THOSE KIDS ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 6. >> AND THAT'S WHERE PROJECT HARMONY COMES IN. IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS IN THE NATION. AND IT'S RIGHT HERE IN OMAHA HELPING HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES EVERY YEAR. >>> GOOD MORNING. I'M JULIE CORNELL. AND THIS IS KETV NEWSWATCH 7 CHRONICLE. >>> THIS MORNING WE'RE TAKING AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF PROJECT HARMONY. AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY RESOURCE THAT'S BEEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OMAHA FOR TWO DECADES. BACK IN 1996 IT STARTED TO CREATE A BETTER SYSTEM OF PROTECTION FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN SO NO CHILD WOULD FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS. TO DO THAT, PROJECT HARMONY CREATED A TEAM OF CHILD ADVOCATES MADE UP OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SOCIAL SERVICES AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ALL WITH ONE GOAL TO WORK TOGETHER TO PROTECT CHILDREN. AND THAT HELP IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. THE NUMBER OF LOCAL CHILDREN EXPOSED TO ILLEGAL DRUGS IS UP SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. AND AS KETV NEWSWATCH 7 CHIHN DOAN REPORTS PROJECT HARMONY IS ONCE AGAIN STEPPING UP TESTING THESE KIDS AND TRYING TO GET THEM OUT HARMS WAY. >> TESTS INSIDE THE EXAM ROOM, SHOW HUNDREDS OF NEBRASKA AND SOUTHWEST IOWA KIDS ARE EXPOSED TO DRUGS. >> FOR COCAINE, PCP, POT, AND SOME HAD MULTIPLE DRUGS IN THEIR SYSTEM. >> THEY STARTED TO TEST 200 WARDS OF THE STATE. >> THE INCREASE IS IN DRUG USE, AND ABUSE, KIDS BEING EXPOSED TO THAT AND THE PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE INVESTIGATING THOSE CRIMES ARE MORE AWARE AND GETTING THEM TESTED. >> THE PROCESS IS QUICK. >> WE NEED TO TAKE ABOUT 200 HAIRS FROM THE CHILD, WHICH ARE FROM THE SCALP. >> THEY CAN USE FINGERNAIL SAMPLES FROM A BABY. >> THEY KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF CATCHING THE CASES EARLY. >> BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE, ATTENTION PROBLEM. >> AND TO GET KIDS OUT OF NEGLIGENTFUL AND ABUSE SITUATIONS. >> METHAMPHETAMINE, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING DRUGS ARE NOT AWARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT, THEY ARE CARING FOR THEIR KIDS, NOT FEEDING THEM. CLOTHING THEM. >> THIS CAN HELP PROSECUTORS AND LAWMAKERS. >> IT GIVES COURT A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE HOME. >>> HERE IN NEBRASKA, EVERYONE IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. NINE OMAHA DETECTIVES WORK AROUND THE CLOCK TO PROTECT THOSE CHILDREN. AND THIS MORNING WE'RE GOING BEHIND THE SCENES AT PROJECT HARMONY AND ITS SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT. >> INNOCENT CHILDREN - VIOLENT ACTS. >> SHE REMEMBERS THE NAMES AND LOCATIONS WHERE SHE HAS BEEN. >> SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD. THEY SEE 6 CASES A DAY. # SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD. HERE IN THE SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT THEY SEE AN AVERAGE OF 6 CASES A DAY...30 CHILDREN A WEEK. >> THIS IS ALL DAY LONG. IT'S CONSTANT AND I HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO MY PILE YET. IT'S CONSTANT PHONE CALLS. >> HERE AN OMAHA BOY AGE 12 CONTRACTING HERPES ALLEGEDLY FROM A 47-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO BABYSAT HIM. HE -- 10-YEAR-OLD BOY. ACCUSED OF MOLESTING HIM. AND THE STACK IS ENDLESS, DETECTIVE JEFF KOZENY SAYS THAT'S NOT THE SADDEST PART. >> THERE'S GOT TO BE NUMEROUS ONES NEVER REPORTED. NEVER WILL BE. IT'S SAD IN THAT WAY. >> JUST DISCLOSED TO THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR THAT HER FATHER IS MOLESTING HER AT HOME. >> SIXTY PERCENT OF THEIR CASELOAD HERE-- SEXUAL ASSAULTS. OF THOSE 60 PERCENT OF THE VICTIMS ARE CHILDREN UNDER AGE 6. >> OH YEAH, YEAH, AND THIS DOESN'T COUNT THE KIDS WHO CAN'T BE INTERVIEWED THAT AREN'T VERBAL THAT COME FORWARD WITH EVIDENCE AND INJURIES OF SEXUAL ABUSE. >> SHE CALLS IT AN UNDER-REPORTED CRIME. NINE OUT OF 10 CHILD VICTIMS... KNOW THE PERSON ABUSING THEM. >> YOU COULD SIT AROUND AND SAY THIS IS TERRIBLE BUT YOU'RE INVOLVED IN IT AND GETTING HELP. TRYING TO GET HELP AND STOP THE CYCLE AND PUT PEOPLE IN JAIL THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO KIDS. >> CHILDREN COME TO PROJECT HARMONY WHERE A FORENSIC INTERVIEWER SITS NEXT TO THEM AND LISTENS TO THEIR STORY... PROJECT HARMONY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GENE KLEIN. >> THIS WAS CREATED TO BRING THAT CHILD TO ONE LOCATION HAVE ALL THOSE PROFESSIONALS THAT NEED TO KNOW THAT INFO FROM A CHILD BE PART OF THAT INTERVIEW BUT NOT IN THE ROOM OF THE CHILD. >> THERE'S A VIDEO CAMERA AND TV MONITOR NEXT DOOR. THE CHILD'S RECORDED WORDS--EVIDENCE. SO THEY ONLY HAVE TO TELL THEIR STORY ONCE. USING DOLLS AND POSTERS TO DEMONSTRATE AND EXPLAIN THEIR STORY. >> THERE ARE CASES WHERE I DON'T KNOW HOW THE CHILD'S GOING TO BE AFTER ALL THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THEM. >> CRAYON DRAWINGS GIVE DETECTIVES A PICTURE OF WHAT'S HAPPENED. >> YOU JUST HEAR THE CHILD TELL YOU SOMETHING THAT AN ADULT WOULD FIND HARD TO TALK ABOUT. IN THE ROOM NEXT DOOR.. A FORENSIC PEDIATRICIAN EXAMINES THE CHILD. LOOKING AT OVERALL HEALTH.. LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE OF ABUSE. >> A LOT OF TIMES, CHILDREN IN SEX ABUSE CASES DON'T HAVE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE..IT'S TOUCHING OR ABUSE THAT DIDN'T CAUSE INJURY. SO THE CHILD'S STORY IS CRITICAL. >> AND THEY DO DRUG TESTS ON CHILDREN STARTING WITH INFANTS TESTING MORE THAN 600 CHILDREN A YEAR. >> WE TESTED THOSE KIDS ABOUT 75 PERCENT TESTED POSITIVE FOR COCAINE, METH, PCP OR MARIJUANA SOME HAD ALL THREE IN THEIR SYSTEM. THIS JUST TELLS US THEY'VE BEEN EXPOSED. >> THEN, THE CHILD SEES A STAFF THERAPIST. AT PROJECT HARMONY THEY CAN GET A MEAL. FRESH CLOTHES, A FRESH START. >> SOMETIMES THEY'RE NOT EVEN WEARING THEIR SHOES SO THEY MIGHT JUST COME IN THE CLOTHES THEY'RE WEARING. >> HANGING OUT HERE WHILE INVESTIGATORS SORT THROUGH DETAILS OF THEIR LIVES. >> SOMEONE LISTENED TO THEM SOMEONE TRIED TO DO SOMETHING. SOMEBODY TELLS THEM THEY'RE OK. AND HOPEFULLY, THAT'S THE START OF IT. >> LET'S MAKE THE CHILD WHOLE AGAIN. LET'S TRY TO. JOIN HE -- JOINING ME NOW IS GENE. >> >> THANKS FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING. >> WHETHER PROJECT HARMONY STARTED IN 196 WE ARE WERE TRYING TO DO THIS. AND PROJECT HARMONY IS ONE OF THE 10 IN TERMS OF SIZE AND THE NUMBER OF KIDS THAT WE SEE. >> WHY DOES IT WORK? WHY DOES IT MAKE SENSE? WE ARE FORTUNATE IN OMAHA, IT MAKES SENSE FOR THE PLAYERS TO COME TOGETHER. WE HAVE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND THE OMAHA POLICE DEPARTMENT, LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES AND THEY HAVE ALL STAFF THERE IN ONE FACILITY, AND ONE CAMPUS. IT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAKES IT WORK. >> I LIKE THE IDEA THAT THE CHILD ONLY HAS TO TELL THEIR STORY ONCE. >> KIDS WOULD GO FROM ONE ORGANIZATION TO THE NEXT AND EACH WOULD INDEPENDENTLY EVALUATE THAT CHILD'S STORY. AND NOT COMING TOGETHER AND COORDINATING WITH THE STATE AND POLICE. TODAY, ALL OF IT HAPPENS IN ONE LOCATION, THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE GREETED IN A CHILD-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT THAT IS SAFE AND SECURE, AND CONFIDENTIALAL. AND THE PROFESSIONALS COME TOGETHER AROUND THE FAMILY TO MAKE SURE THEIR FAMILIES ARE TOLD. >> YOU MUST BE REALLY PROUD OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS, SOMETHING YOU CREATED. >> I HAVE BEEN THERE 15 YEARS. WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THE COMMUNITY. IT IS A COMMUNITY THAT PUTS CHILDREN FIRST. WHEN I TALK TO MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THEY ARE JEALOUS OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE HERE. >> IF THEY SUSPECT ABUSE OR NEGLIGENT? WHAT SHOULD WE DO? >> THERE'S A MYTH THAT PROFESSIONALS ARE REQUIRED TO RO REPORT. WE ARE ALL TO REPORT ABUSE AND NEGLIGENT. YOU SHOULD GET SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE STORY. BUT, DON'T HESITATE, IF YOU BELIEVE A CHILD IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER OR HARM'S WAY TO CALL 911 OR THE CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE. >> I KNOW THAT CLASSIFY THE CALLS IN THERE'S IMMEDIATE DANGER. IF YOU THINK THERE'S A CHILD THAT HADN'T BEEN EATING. THAT'S NOT AN IMMEDIATE THING. BUT IT SHOULD BE CALLED TO SOME SOME SOMEONE'S ATTENTION. >> WE HESITATE TATE TO CALL. BUT YOU NEED TO TRUST THE HOTLINE. AND CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO HOME IF IT IS NOT NECESSARY. BUT WILL WHEN IT IS. >> YOU HAVE TOOLS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY. AND YOU HAVE TOOLS TO DO THAT. >> WE DO. IN 2007 WE SHIFTED THE FOCUS, SAYING WE ARE NOT RESPONDING TO ABUSE AND NEGLIGENT AND GET IN FRONT OF IT AND PUT AN END TO IT. WE TRAIN ALL OF THE PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE WORKING THE CASES AND HOW TO INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND TO CHILDREN. WE HAVE EXPANDED TO THAT TO SCHOOLS AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, THOSE WHO ARE WORKING WITH CHILDREN WHEN THEY SDLOUS ABUSE, DISCLOSE. >> YOU HAVE AN APARTMENT SET UP. >> WE WORKED WITH THE THEATERS AND WE HAVE ACTOR THAT ROLE PLAY. AND IN THE SCENES YOU WILL SEE THAT THE STAGE WILL REVOLVE AND THE ACTORS PLAY THE REAL LIFE SITUATION. IF YOU ARE A SOCIAL WORKER GOING TO THE HOME, YOU GET PRACTICE HOW WOULD I DO MY JOB IN ASSESSING SAFETY. >> JUST BECAUSE A HOUSE LOOKS THIS WAY, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THIS CHILD IS GOING TO BE TAKEN AWAY. >> ABSOLUTELY. ONE OF THE TRAININGS IS ON ENGAGING FAMILIES AND WE GO INTO THE SITUATIONS WITH BIASES AND ASSUMPTIONS. IT MAY BE NOT HORRIBLE, JUST BECAUSE IT LOOKS HORRIBLE. WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND. >> THEY CAN CALL FOR THINGS LIKE THAT, ONCE THEY MAKE THE CALL, HELP CAN BECOME AVAILABLE TO THE FAEMENT. >> FAMILY. >> WE STARTED A PROGRAM THAT FOCUSED ON KIDS IN SCHOOL. IT IS A WAY FOR FAMILIES TO GET HELP. THERE WERE 28 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN OMAHA THAT HAS ACCESS TO PROJECT HARMONY. >> HOW DO YOU DO THAT. >> WE WORK WITH THE COUNSELORS. THERE'S NO MALTREATMENT, BUT THEY NEED HELP. THE SCHOOL REFER THEM, AND WE WORK WITH 70 PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO GET THE FAMILIES HELP. >> THAT MAKES SENSE. SOMETIMES THE TEACHERS ARE THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE. THEY NOTICE THAT THE KID IS WEARING THE SAME SHIRT TO SCHOOL. >> HOW DO YOU SEE IT CHANGING IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS? >> WE PUT A TAGLINE AT THE END OF THE MISSION, TO END CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLIGENT. WE ARE NOT JUST RESPONDING, WE WANT TO GET IN FRONT OF THIS. EDUCATION, TRAINING, IS GOING TO BE CONTINUING TO BE A MAJOR FOCUS FOR US. WE ARE GOING TO BE A RESPONDS ORGANIZATION. WE THINK WE ARE GOING TO DO MORE PREV PREVENTIVE, AND HELPING PARENTS AND KIDS. IN OUR MODEL IS IT IS DOING IT WITH OTHERS, MAKING SURE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE PARTNERING WITH US. >> IT IS COMMUNITY PROJECT. >> IT IS. DO YOU SEE CASES GETTING WORSE? ARE WE MORE AWARE. >> SEVERITY IS GETTING MUCH MORE SERIOUS. IF YOU ASK THE PROFESSIONALS. MAYBE THE PARENT GOT FRUSTRATED AND SPANKED THE CHILD. THESE ARE INJURIES AND EVEN DEATH. WE SEE THOSE CASES. IT IS ELEVATED. WE THINK THAT THE INTERNET PLAYS A ROLE IN THE SEXUAL ABUSE CASES, THERE'S MORE EXPOSURE FOR PEOPLE TO GET CHILD PORN. AND IT STARTS THERE AND THEY MOVE TO A REAL CHILD IN THOSE CASES. >> THE CHILDREN THAT WE ARE SEEING IS A RESULT OF SOCIETY, AND THE FEVER PITCH THAT WE ARE RAISING. >> HOW DO YOU GET THROUGH THIS? >> HOW DO YOU DO THIS FOR 15 YEARS? IT IS HARD FOR YOU? >> LIKE WITH THE DETECTIVES AND STAFF, THEY FEEL LIKE WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE MAY HAVE SEEN 6, 7, 12 KIDS AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEIR STORY CHANGED AND THE PATHWAY IS DIFFERENT. AND MANY TIMES THAT'S WHAT BRINGS PEOPLE BACK THE NEXT DAY TO DO SO THE NEXT 10-12 KIDS. >> YOU ARE THROWING THEM A LIFE LINE. >> YOU ARE DOING GOOD WORK. GOOD WE'LL TALK WITH AN ABUSE SURVIVOR. A WOMAN SPEAKING OUT AND ADVOCATING FOR THE VOICELESS. AND WHY SHE WISHES A PLACE LIKE PROJECT HARMONY WAS AROUND WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP. WHEN NEWS 7 CHRONICAL CONTINUES. PROJECT IS A POWERFUL ORGANIZATION, ENDING CHILD ABUSE. >> ONE CHILD, ONE VOICE, BE VISION. BE SOMEONE. ONE IN THREE GIRLS BEFORE SHE TURNS 18. >> BE SOMEONE. >> BECAUSE ONE IN FIVE BOYS WILL BE ABUSED BEFORE HE TURNS 18. >> BE SOMEONE. BECAUSE SOME CHILDREN NEED YOU TO STAND UP AND SAY ENOUGH. >> ENOUGH. >> ENOUGH. >> ENOUGH. >> ENOUGH. >> WHY IS PROJECT HARMONY HERE? >> BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE BRIGHT FUTURES. >> HOPE FOR CHILDREN. BECAUSE THERE'S HOPE. >> PROJECT HARMONY, ENDING CHILD ABUSE. >> ONE CHILD, ONE VISION. >> BE SOMEONE. >> AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT AMANDA REINERT IS DOING. AND SHE "IS" SOMEONE. SHE'S MRS. NEBRASKA. AND LAST MONTH SHE WAS AT LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES. AMANDA REINERT PLACED THIRD IN THE MRS. UNIVERSAL COMPETITION BUT SHE'S MOST PROUD OF WINNING THIS TROPHY..THE PLATFORM AWARD. REINERT IS A TWO TIME CHILD SEX ABUSE SURVIVOR AND SHE VOLUNTEERS WITH LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES AND PROJECT HARMONY. SHARING HER STORY AND URGING FAMILIES TO GET HELP. SHE SAYS PREVENTION IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT. >> HELPING TO AVOID THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES. NOT HAVING CHILDREN IN ONE ON ONE ENVIRONMENTS. BEING ABLE TO MAKE SITUATIONS INTERRUPTABLE, AND HAVING OPEN CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR KIDS. IT'S OK TO SAY NO. TO BE IN TUNE WITH YOUR OWN BODY. >> AND THIS IS A HEARTFELT MOMENT. REINERT GAVE HER AWARD TO LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES AND THE R-SAFE PROGRAM. IT TEACHES FAMILIES HOW TO SUPPORT AND GUIDE CHILD ABUSE SURVIVORS SO THE ABUSE IS NOT REPEATED. >>> THIS MORNING WE'VE BEEN >> YOU MUST HAVE HEALED FROM THIS. >> I HEARD A SAYING YOU COULD CHOOSE. I WENT THROUGH THIS, WHY NOT DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND USE MY STORY TO GET PEOPLE'S ATTENTION. >> WAS IT POWERFUL FOR YOU TO GO THROUGH THAT? >> IT WAS EMOTIONAL, I LIKE TO SEE THE LIGHT BULBS COME ON. YOU KNOW YOU SHARED YOUR STORY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I WILL SHARE IT A MILLION TIMES TO HELP SOMEONE. >> HOW OLD WERE YOU? >> 2-6. IT WAS MY GRANDFATHER, AND MY FAMILY FOUND OUT WHEN I WAS 6 YEARS OLD. AND THEN I WAS 11. IT WAS A FAMILY FRIEND AND IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. >> PROJECT HARMONY WAS NOT AVAILABLE BACK THEN. >> WHEN THEY FOUND OUT, WHEN YOU WERE 6, DID YOU GET HELP? >> IT WAS CHOPPY AND BACK THEN THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TREAT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. YOU PLAY WITH BARBIE DOLLS AND YOU TALK ABOUT AND THEY SEND YOU ON YOUR WAY. THERE WAS NO SUPPORT, NO EDUCATION FOR MY FAMILY. IT WAS AN ISOLATED, YOU ARE KIND OF ON YOUR OWN. I HAD TO TELL MY STORY UP TO 20 DIFFERENT TIMES. WHEN WE TESTIFIED IN COURT, IT WAS IN A COURTROOM, I WAS SITTING 2 FEET FROM HIM. >> DID HE GO TO JAIL? >> HE DIDN'T. I WAS 6 AND I CLAMMED UP. THAT'S WHEN THE FEAR AND ISOLATION STARTED. BACK THEN, THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOU COULD DO THIS AND SHARE YOUR STORY ONE TIME. >> WHEN GENE WAS GIVING ME A TOUR TO PROJECT HARMONY, IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. YOU ARE CREATING A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FUTURE FOR THAT FAMILY. >> DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE A VICTIM TWICE BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T GET THE EDUCATION, AND YOUR FAMILY DIDN'T GET THE EDUCATION? >> I DO. BOTH MY FAMILY AND I. I WAS TAUGHT NOT HOW TO RECOVER. THERE WAS SHAME, AND GUILTY. MY FAMILY WASN'T TAUGHT HOW TO PREVENT IT IN THE FUTURE, HOW TO HELP ME GET THROUGH THE THINGS AND I SEE WHAT THE PROJECT HARMONY IS OFFERING. IT WOULD'VE CHANGED THE COURSE OF MY LIFE AND IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED A SECOND TIME. >> DID VICTIMS CARRY AROUND, I CAN BE A VICTIM? >> ABSOLUTELY. THE SECOND TIME? >> YES. >> IT IS NOT WRITTEN ON YOUR FOREHEAD. BUT THERE'S A SENSE OF FEAR, AND ISOL ISOLATION, I CARRIED THAT UNTIL I GOT MARRIED. IT WAS A SENSE I FEEL VULNERABLE AND I CAN BE A VICTIM AT ANY MINUTE. IF YOU HELP THE KIDS RIGHT AWAY. HELP THEM LEARN IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT, AND HERE'S THE PATH WE CAN SEND YOU ON THROUGH TEENAGER YEARS AND OTHER TOUGH TIMES>> TALKING TO KIDS AND PARENTS, WHAT DID YOU TELL THEM ABOUT BOUNDARIES. YOU DON'T TOUCH ME. THE ONE THING WHEN WE ARE TALKING TO OUR KIDS WE TELL THEM, YOU NEED TO DO WHAT THE ADULT TELLS YOU. BUT THERE'S A BUT TO THAT. IF AN ADULT MAKES YOU FEEL FUNNY OR A RED FLAG, IT IS OKAY TO SAY NO. WE TRUST EVERYONE IN OUR LIVES, OR THEY WOULDN'T BE THERE. BE CAREFUL WITH THE ONE-ON-ONE. MY FIRST I WAS GOING THROUGH THE ABUSE FOR FOUR YEARS. IF I HAD FELT MORE COMFORTABLE MAYBE THAT WOULD'VE BEEN ISO ISOLATED. HAVING OPEN COMMUNICATIONS WITH YOUR KIDS. >> NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN IT IS SOMEONE YOU KNOW. IT IS HARD ON YOUR HEART THAT SOMEONE COULD DO THAT FROM YOUR FAMILY. OR A FRIEND. IT HAPPENS MORE THAN YOU THINK. >> I TRUST ALL OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS BUT I WAS AWARE IT WAS MY GRANDFATHER, AND A FAMILY FRIEND. YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. YOU ARE PROTECTS NUMBER ONE; THAT'S THE CHILD. >> HOW IT IS BEING A MOTHER NOW? YOU ARE THE MAMA BEAR? NOT OUT OF YOUR SIGHT? MY HUSBAND CALLS ME THE HOVER CRAFT. >> I TRY TO REMEMBER THAT I CAN'T BE TOO OVER BEARING. BUT I'M AWARE OF EVERY LOOK, TOUCH. I NOTICE IT. I HAVE LOTS OF BOUNDARIES FOR HER. LITTLE BIT MORA WEAR. >> WHAT IS IN YOUR FUTURE? HOW DO YOU HELP THE ORGANIZATIONS? >> THIS IS THE LIFE LONG COMMITMENT. I REALLY FEEL LIKE THIS IS WHAT I WAS PUT ON THIS EARTH TO DO. ADVOCATE FOR THE FAMILIES AND VICTIMS, AND ADVOCATE. THAT'S WHERE MY PASSION IS. WE AS A COMMUNITY NEED TO BE AWARE AND EDUCATED. THAT WILL LEAD TO PREVENTION EVENTUALLY. >> AND YOU TALKING ABOUT IT WILL HELP PEOPLE MAKE THE BREAK THROUGH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE'LL BACK WITH FINAL THOUGHTS AND YOUR COMMENTS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SHOW. YOU CAN E-MAIL US AT KETV.COM WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. WE WILL BE BACK AFTER THIS. >> YOU ARE WATCHING KETV NEWS 7 CHRONICLE. >> >>> THIS MORNING WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT PROJECT HARMONY A LOCAL ORGANIZATION THAT'S BEEN HELPING PROTECT ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN IN OMAHA FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS. IT'S GOING TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY WITH A GALA... THAT INCLUDES A CONCERT, DINNER AND DESSERT RECEPTION, NOVEMBER 4TH AT THE HOLLAND CENTER. TICKETS FOR THE EVENT RANGE FROM 200 DOLLARS TO JUST 35. WE'VE CREATED A LINK ON KETV.COM IF YOU'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GALA. >> AND REMEMBER, IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD IS BEING ABUSED, YOU CAN CALL 1-800-652-1999 IN NEBRASKA. IN IOWA THE NUMBER IS 1-800-362-2178. >>> IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF THIS SHOW OR WANT TO WATCH IT AGAIN, IT'S ON LINE ON KETV DOT COM. JUST LOOK FOR THE CHRONICLE LINK UNDER THE NEWS TAB. I'M JULIE CORNELL. THANKS FOR WATCHING. AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE NEXT SUNDAY MORNING FOR KETV
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KETV Chronicle – Project Harmony
It’s one of the largest child advocacy groups in the nation, and based right here in Omaha. In this edition of Chronicle, we take an in-depth look at the impact of Project Harmony.
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