Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky now ranks 14th in the nation in child victims of maltreatment according to the latest Child Maltreatment report from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. While there has been a 48% reduction in child victims of maltreatment from 2018 to 2022, Kentucky is around 60% higher than the national rate (7.7 per 1,000) of child maltreatment at 12.3 per 1,000 children.

“While the drop in child maltreatment rates is a step in the right direction, we must continue our march to eliminate child abuse and neglect altogether. The Kosair for Kids Face It Movement was launched ten years ago to hasten that day, and we welcome all Kentuckians to join us, said Barry Dunn, president and CEO of Kosair for Kids, the founder and funder of the Face It Movement.

During the reporting period (FFY 2022), 12,340 children were victims of abuse or neglect with children under age one continuing to be the highest rate of victims (33.9 per 1,000) in the Commonwealth. Nine in 10 (89.2%) of the child victims had a substantiated case of neglect. In an effort to differentiate between neglect and poverty, Senate Bill 8 of 2022 clearly defined neglect in statute as not providing for a child when financially able to do so or are “offered financial or other means to do so.” The time period of the Child Maltreatment report likely is just reflecting that legislative update as the Department for Community Based Services continues to educate staff and community stakeholders.

To further extrapolate the types of maltreatment experienced, 9.3% had a substantiated case of physical abuse, 6.1% had a substantiated case of sexual abuse, 2.2% had a substantiated case of medical neglect, and .7% had a substantiated case of psychological abuse. Additionally, compared to last year, (11) there was an increase to 12 identified fatalities as a result of maltreatment, a concerning issue that warrants continued advocacy and education.

“Because neglect is the leading cause of Kentucky’s high child maltreatment rate, we must understand and address leading root causes influencing the outcomes of our families – addiction, domestic violence, and housing instability. We also cannot underestimate the simple yet profound impacts reducing family isolation and building community connection can have for those struggling with the everyday challenges of parenting,” said Dr. Shannon Moody, Chief Policy & Strategy Officer of Kentucky Youth Advocates, the backbone organization of the Face It Movement.

A key consideration in addressing and preventing child maltreatment is to understand the risk factors of abuse and neglect. In Kentucky, domestic violence (50.1%), drug abuse (49.6%), and inadequate housing (22.1%) were the leading risk factors in cases of child maltreatment.

“Every adult in Kentucky is a mandated reporter of child maltreatment – which means that recognizing and preventing child abuse and neglect is also an adult responsibility. The caring adults that make up the Governor’s Administration and the General Assembly understand that mandate with their track record of prioritizing child safety and well-being time and again. Yet, we must assert, Kentucky’s high maltreatment is still unacceptable and there’s much collaboration needed to ensure every child can grow up healthy, safe, and thriving,” said Dr. Terry Brooks, Executive Director of Kentucky Youth Advocates.

Kentucky Youth Advocates and the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement are advocating to the 2024 General Assembly for state policy and budget priorities that support child victims of maltreatment, including increased investments for foster care, ensuring students have a safe environment to learn that is free from abuse and with appropriate adults, and allowing health care providers to complete child abuse and neglect registry check for current or prospective employees. Learn more about House Bill 275, sponsored by Representative James Tipton, and Senate Bill 145, sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams, at kyyouth.org/bill-tracker/.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the Child Protection Hotline at 1-877-KYSAFE1. View the full Child Maltreatment 2022 report at www.acf.hhs.gov/cb.

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About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates believes all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.

About Kosair for Kids® 
Kosair for Kids enhances the health and well-being of children by delivering financial support for healthcare, research, education, social services, and child advocacy. We envision a world in which children in need live life to the fullest. For more information, please visit kosair.org.

About the Face It® Movement
The Face It® Movement is an initiative led by Kosair for Kids® in response to the number of child abuse deaths in the Commonwealth. Face It focuses on a three-pronged approach to addressing child abuse and neglect: promote best practices in child abuse prevention and intervention, build awareness and engage the community, and advocate for effective policies to improve the child welfare system. Learn more at faceitmovement.org.