Emily Buckley, editor in chief
For National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, the Malouf Foundation has invited Jason Weis, a national expert in protecting children from sex trafficking, to instruct a free family safety training. The workshop will be held on April 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Logan High School and is designed to give parents and participants action items that will instantly help them protect children from online predators. Jason requests that attendees do not bring children under age 18 to the event.
Jason will show participants how predators target children and potential behavioral changes to watch for in kids. He’ll also discuss the apps (Instagram, Kik, Whisper, Tik Tok) and settings kids may use to hide inappropriate messages and photos received from predators. Most importantly, he’ll teach parents how to have open communication with children on this tricky topic—which he believes is critical.
Jason has been fighting sex trafficking for over 10 years and constantly works to remain informed of its ever-evolving world. He’s consulted with multiple government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and his work as a detective led to arrests and convictions of sex offenders.
“Even if you aren’t a parent, this training is crucial. You can protect your community and the kids around you,” Jason said. “Abuse of children is happening in epidemic proportions.” The Malouf Foundation is covering all costs related to event so attendance is free and as many people as possible can be trained.
“It’s hard to imagine our own community at risk from sexual predators, but just look at the news. We’re reminded weekly that they threaten our children right here in Cache Valley,” Sam Malouf, CEO of Malouf and co-founder of the Malouf Foundation, said. “We want parents equipped with the right tools so we can build a new model of safety in our own backyard.”
About Malouf Foundation:
Founded in 2016 and based out of Logan, Utah, the Malouf Foundation is a registered nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to bringing comfort to community members by helping them fulfill basic needs during difficult times. The foundation works closely with local charities to provide comfort and care for abuse victims as well as support children and families in need. The foundation’s banner cause is to fight child sex trafficking and exploitation. Through key partners and its parent company, Malouf, the foundation gives 100 percent of its resources to the people it serves. For more information about the Malouf Foundation, visit malouffoundation.org.
