School staff, parents, and guardians gathered Thursday to learn about internet safety during a program titled “Saving Lives and Stopping Predators,” presented by Alicia Kozak. Kozak, who gained national attention over 20 years ago, shared her personal story of survival.

In 2002, at the age of 13, Alicia was abducted due to an internet luring incident, marking the first known case of its kind. During the event, she emphasized the real dangers present online and urged everyone to take them seriously.

Kozak stressed the importance of open communication, saying, “Everyone needs to be on the same page—kids, parents, and educators. We need to talk separately and as a group to ensure everyone has the best tools and resources available. This is happening in your community, and the stories I’ve heard would shock you.”

Alicia Kozak is the founder of The Alicia Project, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about internet safety and child predators. For more information, visit her website at aliciakozak.com.