Pathways Project brings education and awareness to protecting children, next event Oct. 13

Sometimes protecting a child begins with awareness, and then a conversation.

That message was at the heart of “Raising Digital Kids: A Community Conversation,” hosted by The Pathways Project at First Baptist Church of Kimberling City, where families gathered to learn about online risks, sextortion and practical ways to help children navigate an increasingly digital world.

Pathways Project Coalition of the Ozarks founder and Executive Director Veloris Juneman said prevention is an important part of the organization’s mission. While The Pathways Project works to support survivors as they begin their journey toward healing, she said its work must also reach families before exploitation occurs. Her title and the organization’s formal name are supported by Missouri House records.

“We don’t want to only be there after a child has been exploited,” Juneman said. “We want to help families recognize the risks before it happens.”

That focus brought Brad and Kari Boettler, founders of Evan’s Voice, from Aurora to Kimberling City to share the story of their 16-year-old son, Evan, who died by suicide Jan. 3, 2024, after becoming the victim of online sextortion.

Brad and Kari Boettler, founders of Evan’s Voice, were brought in by The Pathways Project to share their family’s story and provide families with education and practical tools for navigating online risks during “Raising Digital Kids: A Community Conversation” at First Baptist Church of Kimberling City.

The Boettlers described Evan as an outdoorsman who loved fishing and soccer, a friend to others and a young man who showed kindness to those around him.

Their lives changed when an online interaction Evan believed was with a teenage girl became an extortion attempt.

Kari said the family initially had no understanding of what had happened. Weeks later, while searching Evan’s phone for answers, she discovered messages that revealed he had been targeted through social media.

“It didn’t make any sense to us,” Kari said.

The experience led the family to create Evan’s Voice, a nonprofit established in Evan’s memory to raise awareness, support victims and advocate for change.

Brad said their work now focuses on educating and advocating for children while helping families understand how technology can leave young people vulnerable to exploitation.

“Our goal really is to educate and advocate for kids, all kids,” Brad said. “In today’s age, technology-wise, kids are more vulnerable now than probably ever before.”

Throughout the presentation, Brad and Kari encouraged parents and children to learn together and begin talking about online safety before something happens. Brad said having parents and children hear the information together can open the door to conversations before a child is already facing a difficult situation.

“It’s an opportunity to start that conversation now instead of waiting on the back side when something negative has happened,” Brad said.

The Boettlers also encouraged parents to continue educating themselves as social media platforms, games, apps and online features change. Families can use that knowledge to talk openly about potential risks and establish guidelines and guardrails for using technology.

They discussed resources available to families, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Take It Down service, and encouraged families to report suspected online exploitation and become familiar with available resources before they are needed.

Their message is centered on three practical steps families can begin using now: continue learning as technology changes, talk openly with children about what they encounter online and establish safety guidelines before a problem occurs.

Juneman said the purpose of the evening was not to frighten families or tell parents to take every device away, but to provide information and practical tools while helping adults build stronger connections and conversations with the children in their lives.

“Our goal isn’t to scare anyone or tell you to take every device away,” Juneman said. “It’s to give you information, practical tools and hopefully some confidence to have better connections and conversations with the kids in your life.”

The Kimberling City program was part of a broader education effort by The Pathways Project centered on three events with one goal: protecting children. The effort also included the organization’s quarterly educational meeting Sept. 15 at the Stone County Health Department. The third event, “Keeping Kids Safe Online,” is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Branson High School and will feature Russ Tuttle, founder and president of The Stop Trafficking Project.

Juneman said the educational opportunities give community members a place to learn, ask questions and begin important conversations with children.

“The online world is part of their world,” Juneman said. “Together, we can learn how to help them navigate it safely.”

Schools, churches, civic groups and other organizations interested in learning more about human trafficking awareness, prevention or educational opportunities can contact Pathways Project Coalition of the Ozarks.

For more information about Pathways Project Coalition of the Ozarks or its educational opportunities, visit pathwaysprojectmo.org or email contact@pathwaysprojectmo.org.