A group of Tulsa investigators and experts are working to protect kids from child abuse and trauma. A nonprofit, Child Impact Projects, held a panel discussion Monday in downtown Tulsa.

Professionals who work with child victims and families shared what they are currently dealing with. They emphasize exactly what you should do if you see a child in trouble.

"You need to be able to have those tough conversations with your children. And so many people don't want to do it because they're uncomfortable,” Tulsa County Judge, Dawn Moody said.

Homeland Security and OSBI agents, a U.S. Marshal, the Tulsa County District Attorney, two judges, and other investigators, sat down to talk about crimes against children. Listening to the panel in the audience were healthcare workers, counselors, attorneys and others who interact with children.

"What the public should know is: we don't want you to interview children,” Tulsa Police Department Detective Jill Sallee said. She works in the Child Crisis Unit.

Sallee said if you learn about a crime involving a child, get the bare minimum information, report it, and leave the rest to the professionals.

"A lot of family members tend to interview children. 'Tell me what happened.’ They really wanna know. And that hinders my investigation severely,” she said.

OSBI Special Agent Chris Leamon said law enforcement saw an increase in cases involving children during the pandemic. Another challenge: technology continues to evolve.

"As the digital age progresses, the evidence progresses. So it takes longer to process evidence,” Leamon said.

Judge Moody expressed wanting the public to understood some of the reasons why plea deals happen with child abuse cases. It can sometimes be in an effort to avoid a child be retraumatized.

"When we as judges take these plea agreements, again we are not involved in negotiations, however, we do take into account whether or not these children have had to testify or will have to testify,” Moody said.

Oklahoma is a mandatory reporting state, so if you suspect or know of a child being abused in any way, call law enforcement or DHS to report it.

Child Impact Projects said it has panel discussions every few months in Tulsa and Fort Worth.