Police in Tulsa and Bristow make a pair of arrests - the suspects both accused of sexual misconduct with children.
Sharon Doty, a child sexual abuse prevention expert, said its a tough subject to talk about, especially during the holidays.
Learning a child has been violated, isn't exactly a conversation anyone want's to have. But the reality is that it's happening, and it's not going to stop unless the community intervenes.
"It's going to take a commitment we don't really have," Doty said.
This time of year, Doty said parents may be in the dark, not realizing the fact predators could be targeting their children.
"Here it is December and they've arrested a teacher in Bristow and we arrested a guy who runs a train at the zoo," Doty said.
Sixty-five-year-old Kim Bowman, a reported conductor of the children's train at the Tulsa Zoo, is now behind bars after police arrested him on a complaint of child pornography.
"They're putting themselves in situations applying for positions working as volunteers in settings that give them access to children so they can cultivate themselves in a relationship with the community," Doty said.
Christopher Bivins, 24, a high school teacher in Bristow. was also taken into custody on Thursday after police say he had sexual contact with a student.
He faces charges of second degree rape, sexual battery, and possession and production of child pornography.
"Teaching and a position like the train at the zoo, they're prime territory for a predator," Doty said.
She adds that children fall victim when a predator is deceptive and initiates a friendly relationship with the child.
"It''s alarming it's really alarming."
Children who fall victim to sexual abuse or child pornography can be scarred for life, and the risk of suicide increases.
So how can we make this stop? Doty said community education is important, but ultimate prevention comes from the parents.
She said pay attention to your child, notice changes in behavior, and always intervene before it's too late.
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