Attorney General Cameron Launches 'It Saves to Know' Statewide Missing Child Awareness Campaign

Campaign will protect children from human trafficking

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 10, 2023) – Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has announced his Office of Trafficking and Abuse Prevention and Prosecution (TAPP) launched a statewide missing child awareness campaign titled “It Saves to Know.” According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, one in six missing children is approached by a human trafficker in the first 48 hours. The It Saves to Know campaign combats human trafficking by mobilizing Kentuckians to recognize the signs that a child may be considering running away and empowers citizens and caregivers with steps to take to help prevent a child from going missing.

“Last year, over 3,700 Kentucky children were reported missing, making them vulnerable to predatory adults, drugs, and violent crimes,” said Attorney General Cameron. “Every Kentuckian has a role to play in protecting our most vulnerable, and we hope that this campaign will stop human trafficking before it starts. I am grateful to our Office of Trafficking and Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Executive Director Heather Wagers for ensuring this campaign protects our most vulnerable from danger.”

To raise awareness about the dangers faced by missing children, Attorney General Cameron also issued a proclamation today declaring the month of May as Missing Child Awareness Month in the Commonwealth.

The statewide media campaign, launched ahead of National Missing Children’s Day and during Missing Child Awareness Month, utilizes digital communication platforms like social media, audio streaming, digital display, and streaming on top networks and popular streaming devices to reach Kentuckians throughout the Commonwealth while targeting regions with high rates of missing children.

The Attorney General’s campaign will also include resources to assist social workers, law enforcement, parents, and caregivers in recognizing the signs that a child may run away and provide tools to aid them in locating children who have been reported missing.

The campaign is funded by a grant from the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

"Prevention is the best tool we have when it comes to keeping Kentucky kids safe,” said TAPP Executive Director Heather Wagers. “The ‘It Saves to Know’ campaign will equip Kentuckians with information on recognizing that a child may be considering running away, and what to do if it occurs.  Being informed is a pivotal first step in prevention.”

This is Attorney General Cameron’s latest effort to address human trafficking in the Commonwealth. In 2021, the office launched the “Your Eyes Save Lives” human trafficking awareness campaign to encourage Kentuckians to recognize and report the signs of human trafficking.

To view a copy of the proclamation, click here.

To download a PSA about the It Saves to Know campaign, click here. Learn more about the campaign by visiting ItSavesToKnow.ky.gov.