Child Abuse Prevention

Kentucky’s rate of child abuse continues to outpace the national average

The Child Maltreatment 2022 report, released this year by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Children’s Bureau, found Kentucky’s rate of child abuse victims in Kentucky was 12.3 per 1,000 children. That means about a dozen kids out of every 1,000 children in Kentucky experienced some form of maltreatment during 2022. Indiana’s rate…

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Child Abuse Prevention, Prevention & Wellness

Kentucky nearly doubles U.S. child abuse victim rate

Despite dropping for the third consecutive year, Kentucky’s rate of child abuse victims continues to outpace the national average. The “Child Maltreatment 2021” report released this year by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Children’s Bureau found Kentucky’s rate of child abuse victims in 2021 was 14.7 per 1,000 children. That means about…

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Child Abuse Prevention, News

Parents should avoid spanking as a form of discipline, pediatricians say

As children head back to school, some families may encounter additional behavioral issues at school or in the home. Pediatricians are reminding parents that spanking is not an effective method of discipline. Spanking doesn’t work Spanking as a form of discipline is associated with poor health outcomes, such as mental health issues, substance abuse issues,…

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Child Abuse Prevention, Prevention & Wellness

Norton Children’s receives $6 million from the state to combat child abuse

With Kentucky still outpacing the nation in instances of child abuse, state officials and Norton Children’s announced $6 million from the Kentucky General Assembly aimed at reducing the number of child deaths and injuries related to abuse. An additional $2 million has been committed to the initiative by the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation thanks to…

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Child Abuse Prevention

Is it child abuse? Understanding the myths vs. facts

The signs of child abuse and neglect are not always obvious, and thousands of children in Kentucky and Indiana fall victim each year. “Adults can help protect children by understanding and correcting common myths about child abuse,” said Kelly L. Dauk, M.D., chair of the Norton Children’s Hospital Child Abuse Task Force and pediatrician with…

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Child Abuse Prevention, Prevention & Wellness

Recognizing child abuse during a pandemic

Typically, a drop in the number of calls to child protective services would be cause for great celebration and taken as a sign of less child abuse and neglect. Not this time. You see, we know that child abuse and neglect increase during times of economic downturn, financial stress/poverty, and social isolation. The COVID-19 pandemic…

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Child Abuse Prevention

The role a father plays in child abuse prevention

A child’s well-being is based on many social factors tied to their parents. According to David Cozart, director of the Lexington Leadership Foundation’s Fatherhood Initiative, a critical social factor influencing the health and well-being of children is their fathers. According to David, not only do fathers play a critical role in the healthy development of…

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Child Abuse Prevention

How to tell if a bruise is from abuse

A bruise means that a child is just rambunctious, right? Possibly, but some bruising can signify something much more serious: child abuse. Being able to tell whether a bruise could be from abuse can help protect a child. Many people have the misconception that bruising is obvious and matches the size of an adult hand….

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Child Abuse Prevention, COVID19

COVID-19 stresses could lead to more child abuse, but families can reduce risks

Families having to face financial, emotional and other stresses — combined with long periods of time isolated at home with a lack of structure during the COVID-19 pandemic — can lead to potentially dangerous situations when it comes to child abuse. According to pediatricians, including one who heads a local task force on child abuse,…

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Child Abuse Prevention, Employee stories - Norton Childrens

From a pediatrician: Why you shouldn’t spank your child

I’m in Walmart, picking up art supplies for my kid’s school project, when I hear “the warning” in the next aisle. “You better knock it off, or you’re going to get a spanking.” The hair stands up on the back of my neck. I want to grab the glitter pens and get home, but I…

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Child Abuse Prevention, Prevention & Wellness

8 ways to help stop child abuse

No one wakes up in the morning expecting to abuse a child. It happens, but there are ways to stop child abuse. Anyone can lose their cool when frustrated with a child’s behavior, whether it’s a sitter, the teenager next door, a friend watching your child for a few hours, your significant other — or…

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Child Abuse Prevention, Prevention & Wellness

Kentucky has highest child abuse rate in U.S.; Indiana second highest

Kentucky and Indiana children continue to suffer abuse at alarming rates. TheU.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Children’s Bureau “Child Maltreatment 2017”report — released in 2019 — shows Kentucky now has the highest abuse rate in the country. The commonwealth reported more than 22,000 victims (compared with 20,000 in the 2016 report), or about…

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