PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota task force will study the sexual abuse of children and recommend ways to address the issue.

Jolene's Law Task Force will meet starting Aug. 5 and will file a report to the Legislature in January. The task force plans to suggest ways the state could increase awareness and improve its policies for dealing with child sex abuse. The task force was created by state legislation earlier this year.

The August meeting will be open to the public.

The group is named after Jolene Loetscher of Sioux Falls, a victim of sexual abuse as a teenager who has talked publicly about her story. The Associated Press generally does not name victims of sexual abuse but is naming Loetscher because she has come forward and spoken publicly.

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