Amy Graves, mother of Gabbi Doolin, speaks at conference to prevent child abuse
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A local mother was among the speakers at a United States Secret Service summit aimed at preventing child exploitation.
Amy Graves, the mother of Gabbi Doolin, who was brutally killed by a child predator in 2015 near Allen County-Scottsville High School, appeared Thursday to speak to students grades seven through 12 and educators at the Operation Angel Summit in Louisville.
The goal of the summit was to educate students on how to protect themselves from predators, as well as provide victim resources and empower survivors.
Graves stated, “There is a purpose behind my pain, because tragedy can define you, leaving you to only live in pain, or tragedy can also fuel you. It is still painful, but that pain is grounded in a bigger purpose.”
She also shares some advice to children to avoid being victims of terrible crimes, like Doolin.
“Never hesitate to say no,” Graves stated. “If you feel it, say it. If you feel uncomfortable with any situation or a person, just say no. Gabbi, I am giving you the right to say no. To any situation, if it doesn’t feel right, it is probably not.”
Doolin’s mother went on to say that 95% of cases are carried out by someone you know or trust and to “trust your gut” if something feels off.
Other speakers at the summit included Theoren Fleury, a former NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup Winner and an Olympic Gold Medalist, a teen survivor and participants from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and YMCA’s Safe Place.
