LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky has one of the highest child abuse rates in the country. Local health care leaders are pushing for more awareness around child abuse prevention.
Norton Children’s Center for Safe and Healthy Kids staff are planting over a hundred blue pinwheels at the Home of the Innocents in Louisville, signifying hope and recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Pediatric Protection Specialist Emily Valente started her career as a pediatric emergency room nurse. She said during her time in the ER; she saw many abused or neglected children.
“I always just thought what happened to that kiddo and what could we be doing as a community after their discharge from the ER to help that child stay safe in the future,” said Valente.
According to a report from The Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Bureau, Kentucky has the fourth highest rate for child victimization, meaning both abuse and neglect of children. That’s about 14 out of every 1,000 children.
Valente said while their role is treatment and evaluation after a child has already been harmed, they want to shed a light on prevention.
“Focused on giving lots of education on safe caregivers, on signs of child abuse and just raising awareness about how common it is in our community, unfortunately,” said Valente.
The report also ranks Kentucky eighth for the number of caregivers with substance use disorders.
Child abuse pediatrician Dr. Melissa Currie said she has dedicated her career to protecting children at risk. She said substance use is a contributor to both neglect and abuse.
“We’re seeing a particular spike, that is related to substance use disorders, in the number of children who are coming to the hospital after ingesting or otherwise having been exposed to illicit substances, so that could be in the form of edibles with marijuana or THC. It could also be from dust or inhaling smoke from someone who’s smoking, something in the vicinity. And I think that one thing folks don’t understand is that marijuana can be deadly to young children,” said Currie.
Currie said it’s the community’s responsibility to protect our children.
“It has actually been a crime to not report abuse for a long time. And Kentucky actually has one of the most powerful mandatory reporting laws in the country. In many states, the mandatory reporting laws are limited to certain professions, like doctors and teachers and law enforcement. But in Kentucky, all you have to be is a person. And if you’re a person, then you are legally mandated to report suspected abuse,” said Currie.
Valente said it’s important to raise awareness because every child deserves a world where they feel loved and safe.
“There’s a lot of people in our communities that care about preventing abuse. And so when people see the pinwheels and people see the signs, I want them to know that somebody cares. Somebody is thinking about these children,” said Valente.
Health care leaders said there is still more work to do, but prevention starts with simple steps like teaching kids the correct names for their body parts, listening to them and believing what they say.
The number to call to report suspected child abuse is (877) KY-SAFE1 (597-2331). In Kentucky, everyone is mandated to report a reasonable suspicion that maltreatment has occurred.
More information on how to recognize child maltreatment and other resources are available on Norton Children’s website.
