>> Despite recent improvements in Kentucky's child maltreatment standing the state's rate of child abuse continues to be nearly double the national average.

How can we see beyond those numbers?

And each of us make a difference in protecting Kentucky kids.

A conversation with the head of prevent Child Abuse, Kentucky jail safer.

>> About the role we all play now on connections.

♪ ♪ Welcome and thank you for joining us for connections today.

I'm Renee Shaw.

April is recognized as child abuse awareness and prevention month from KET has special programming available online on demand about the risk factors.

The signs prevention methods, interventions to help KET Kentucky kids safe.

According to the latest us child maltreatment reports, 15 kids out of every 1000 children in Kentucky experience some form of child abuse and neglect during 2021.

That's twice as high as the U.S. rate.

Most child abuse victims in Kentucky were younger than age of one prevent child abuse.

Kentucky works to protect kids through advocacy awareness, education and training.

And here to tell us about those efforts is jail say for the organization's executive director.

It's good to see you.

Thank you.

We were to put together this morning at the time we recorded this interview on We did something for the Lexington talking about this and heard some compelling stories from a young man who's been in the system and he's dealt with child abuse and neglect and often times.

And I think you said it best this morning about how we talk about statistics and numbers and we just pop them off.

But those are real people.

Those are real kids and real lives.

So how do we see beyond the numbers and not just turn a blind eye but really try to help protect each an individual kid.

Well, first, want to say thank you and KET for the excellent series that you had on child abuse and neglect.

>> It was it was tremendous.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And that really is at the heart of what we can do to help prevent child abuse and neglect by raising everybody's awareness.

You had mentioned the statistics and this morning at the event that we were at a I had mentioned, you know, one child is is too many.

But when we are looking at the numbers it's important to remember that right now.

Kentucky is a mandated reporting state, which means that practically with just a few exceptions and in our state, everybody is a mandated reporter.

That's not the same as in other states.

So it's a little bit like comparing apples to oranges and our So what we define as child abuse and neglect in our state is different than in other So there's not more stringent or more stringent, OK with that's good, right?

It's But when when?

>> Folks looking at the the numbers that I obviously the numbers are in Kentucky are going to see higher because our reporting laws are are different in every state can say that because there are no 2 states that have Dana Cole, child abuse and neglect.

Reporting in.

Do you think there should be standardization and how it's defined across the nation and not maybe these piecemeal approaches by individual states.

Would that I would say it would help in terms of having a uniformity across the nation's so that no matter, you know what, we're we're more of a transient population if you come from Kentuckyian moved to.

Texas or there, there's going to be different laws that are But I also, you know, I haven't lived in those states and I don't want to, you know, speak for them are or what you may be going on or federal law that provides some guidance and uniformity.

Yeah, I yes.

Well, Kentucky has really tried to be making valiant efforts to help with this issue.

I mean, we've had legislation that dates back.

How many years and decades at this point.

What do you see from a policy perspective that's making a substantial difference or we yet to see that?

Well, I think that the fact that our numbers are increasing, we still have a lot more work But when we look at effective policies, effective programs, you know, 2 things that I would hold up as shining examples would be our hands program in the state.

So our home visiting program where it's free, it's in every county it's hard to be a parent.

It is only for first time parents or can it be for those who have multiple Multiple kids.

There's a certain age right now at age limit for the kids not write the but it's it's free.

So I encourage everybody your local health department to get in touch with the folks that operate that program, right.

So it and that really helps people understand how to properly care for a child.

And we've done programs about the hands program and illustrates those home visits where they're not coming to judge you, but particularly if you're young or you're first-time parent distant help clue you in on proper care.

So misunderstanding or misinformation or lack of information as especially as a new parent, like what?

What is my 2 e 2 months old supposed to be doing?

Is this normal?

And then we find that if the expectations of the caregiver are not matching.

What's going on with that child that tensions rise.

And that's 1, one of the situations in which there could you know, I'm a risk factor.

There.

And I would think that would be particularly difficult for medically fragile children or children who do have some developmental delays or other issues, physical or behavioral or or social >> issues, you know, and identifying those first.

And then not taking them out in the wrong way.

Salute Lea.

And we also infants with abusive head trauma.

One.

>> A lot of your viewers may know is a shaken Baby syndrome.

So I'm certainly not everybody that has been impacted by that.

But a large people say I just didn't know like I didn't know that shaky Nbae baby would result in this.

we've we want to make sure that we get that information out.

>> To to all parents, but especially first time parents and especially younger parents who have a lot thrown at them.

And if they're socially isolated, if they not at the financial means yet where you know, so if they have a lot of stress over paying their bills and they don't have any support system and then their baby is crying and they say their You know, we we want to certainly avoid those and there's never a reason for shaking.

And that's now on.

I think sometimes.

>> Sometimes we just have to really talk in a very plain level about these things about.

There are different types of abuse.

There's different types of neglect.

I mean, we think about and we it's uncomfortable to talk about sexual abuse among children.

But we know that that's prevalent.

It's not just physical.

There's verbal abuse, emotional abuse.

I mean, you know, it can seem like a pretty intractable incomparable problem.

And that's people just shutter when they hear this kind of conversations.

Yes.

So what one thing that we talked about this morning was we want everybody to be able to know.

I have a role to play in preventing child abuse and neglect.

And sometimes when we talk about the sheer numbers of children who may be in harm's way.

It's hard for us to imagine.

You know, I'm just one person.

What what can I do?

And so we want to shift that talking.

We want to shift that picture so that Renee Shaw and Joel Seafood and anybody in our state can see themselves in the solution.

Right?

And and sometimes the solution, it's not is not This is big saying that you have to undertake and you have to have thousands of dollars or you have to invest.

You know, hundreds of hours.

It can be making sure that your neighbor next door has a a good meal.

It can mean I'm reaching out to family next door because you know that they're struggling right now.

>> It can mean making sure that, you know, the names of the children who live in your building or live on your block and that you use their name and you call them by name.

We heard this morning.

You know, it just takes one person, one adult to make the difference in the life of a child.

Yeah.

>> And maybe we can.

And Melinda Jamison has been on this program before talking about Casa.

The court appointed special advocates and the work they do.

And we talked about how you don't have to be an attorney or legal eagle to be a part of that.

You hear the word court and you automatically think that that's something that those types of people can do.

But just somebody you kind of stand in the gap and is there with that child to Austin doesn't have anybody else to be there with them when they're, you know, facing these very frightening situation.

Casa is a great Court appointed special advocate.

You are trained.

CASA provides the training for you.

Free of charge.

They do ask for a commitment.

And I think we heard this morning that was 30 >> But they they train you to go into court and be that voice for the child who has none.

So typically, you know, mom and or dad will have an attorney in court that there isn't anybody in court specifically speaking on behalf of the child?

Yeah.

And that's so important.

It is to do that.

So let's talk about how April has been recognized as child Abuse Prevention awareness Month.

And we know that the governor issued a proclamation at the end of March.

And we have some video of that happening.

It's also when he was signing that related to child abuse and neglect prevention.

And so we see him and you're with the others.

And Lieutenant Governor, as he's declaring that this is April is child Abuse.

>> Prevention month, how significant is that kind of action?

You know, we get asked that a lot, Renee.

you know, some people just kind of we think it's significant because, again, it raises It allows us an opportunity to come and talk to folks like you.

I'm not that we need a reason, but it's that.

>> Kind of a red emailed juncture in our year where where we can talk about the importance of prevention, the importance of each person playing a role in A lot of people say, you know what's up with the pinwheels and we also say that is an opportunity.

If just one person stops and as what does the Penn will stand for, like, why?

Why are you wearing and share the importance of prevention.

If just one person, then it's spurred into action.

Then that's what it's all about.

Well, in that same day, I believe you all had a lot of these pinwheels and we have video of that as well.

>> I mean, you the grounds are are covered and they soon will be.

When you watch this video unfold of these pinwheels all over that the front lawn of the of the state Capitol.

And do they represent the number?

Does that represent anything is the only planet 4,000 pinwheels and each pinwheel represents 40 children under the age of in our state.

Now.

So our not not, it's like not abuse and neglect.

We want to associate the pinwheels with positive, right?

We want folks to know that is.

>> A lot of kids in our state full of potential yet to be reporters and to be scientists and politicians say, yeah, you know, not profit leaders, but it takes the adults in our state right now.

Today to do something to make sure that each child is protected and nurtured and can grow up to realize their full potential.

Yeah.

>> And I do want to talk about some.

You brought some swagger for us here.

So this is a flag prevent child abuse.

Kentucky has the signature.

Penn will on the front of that these types of things are so important and you all have awesome tool kit as well.

That helps as I just drop.

Some of them.

But these cards that talk about how to care about kids and sharing is caring and welcoming spaces.

I mean, what are the messages that you're trying to deliver to people with this?

These almost like flashcards, if they We're dating ourselves a little.

I know right?

So.

>> Quick and easy.

Positive messages that we >> are trying to convey to everybody getting in, trying to get across.

It does not take.

>> Hundreds of hours for thousands of dollars.

It takes taking.

>> A few minutes to you know, make sure that a child has a positive male role model lives.

Maybe it's through big brothers, Big sisters.

Maybe it's through coal or big brother you know, whoever.

>> But we've got 20 of those flash that have those quick positive messages that anybody should be able to utilize and see themselves in right.

And I think it's important for us to mention at this point about the other partners that you have.

I mean, prevent child abuse really is kind of the linchpin.

I think of these prevention method, methods and measures.

But you have you just mentioned big brothers and big sisters.

And when we were together this morning and there are lots of organizations that are committed to working with and a coalition in a collaborative way or so.

Please proud.

Not sure what what word to use.

But we've got 280 partners in all state partner can be anybody can be a hospital can be a school.

It can be another nonprofit.

It can be take it any entity who says.

>> I want to help prevent child abuse and neglect and within my sphere of influence.

This is how I'm gonna do it.

>> Yeah.

You know, by inviting jail on to my show by being a big brother, big sister by being a Casa volunteer.

So each entity you prevent child abuse and neglect differently.

Because we're we're all different human being's, right?

So, but we've got 280 grows every Anybody who's watching 9 courage them to reach out to us.

We would love included.

More partners across the state.

We do have partners in every county.

Yeah, that's amazing.

>> When you think about the size of some people say, OK, now, help me understand what I'm to look out for.

When I see a child in I ates feel like something is off or something is amiss.

Like, what should I be looking out for?

A child is in a dangerous situation depending upon the age of the child.

one easy thing to And I know we both know Doctor Melissa Kearney hopeful.

>> she often says if you're not bruising, I'm sorry.

If you're not crews and you shouldn't be meaning if a child is up walking around, there's no reason for that child to have bruises on their torso, their ears, their neck.

We refer to that is the 10 for bruising rule.

But it's also I always like the if you're not crews and you shouldn't be breathing, right?

Yeah, that's a simple way to remember that.

Yeah.

So obviously as you age those a child ages, what you're looking for is a little bit different.

Like as a teenager, are there differences in their behavior?

Are there differences in of who they're hanging out Are their grades are, you know, are the great scrapping or eating habits, changing sleeping habits, changing any one of those things just by itself, right is, you know, a teenager has have enough red And I I always say if you are concerned, it's better to err on the part of protecting that child, right?

It should never be a child's responsibility to protect themselves from child abuse and neglect.

That's our responded.

So who should you call?

>> Do you call 9-1-1?

How do you have a child is in imminent danger?

Absolutely.

You can.

You can call your local law enforcement on the CBS >> if if you notice like a >> maybe of a pattern of behavior that you you like, you're just not sure.

Yeah, you can still call the child abuse reporting number, which I'm >> sure will.

Paul Hollis up there, always err on the side of protecting the child.

And when in doubt, you can call law enforcement, your county attorney, your county Commonwealth attorney.

>> Because most often a child who was of a certain age isn't going to come to an adult and say this is happening, right, because some people may think, well, why doesn't a child is reach out for help?

As you said, it's not the child's responsibility to protect the child.

It's says adults to put it.

And that's the only thing that a child knows.

>> So, you know, maybe they haven't had sleepovers at somebody else's house.

So they only know what happens and their home.

And if what happens in their home?

Is that that's normal to them.

So they don't they don't have anything to compare it to.

That's right.

That's a very good point about they don't have anything to compare it to.

And as we said at the big game, the show, you know, you're seeing I mean, just babies who are a few months old, suffering abuse when it's not just shaken Baby syndrome.

And as you mentioned this, the torso, the head of the heirs.

>> To be on the lookout for that.

And you talked we spoke this morning to about the education that happening with all kinds of professions.

You know, in the education system and the medical system as well to have doctors and pediatricians just kind of take notice of these things as well as educators who think something's just not not right about John, are there more withdrawn and those types of things are I've noticed, you know, there's some bruises that are fading.

It's interesting to before I before I forget this thought because of the don't say it now are Forget it.

I know that there is also a campaign going on to recognize bruising and those who have darker melanin darker skin complexions that you don't.

The bruises don't present the same.

So is that also happening in the child abuse All honesty.

>> It should be a I we we have not yet addressed that, but we should be.

I do know maternal health.

>> In >> It for African-American women is certainly of concern, right?

Yeah.

>> So the you have some great tips that you've given us before for for kids.

I'm about and for parents like it's never too early to talk to your child about these things about your body is your body and and who you can hug me.

I remember growing up.

Will you hug everybody?

If somebody's asking for a hug, you hug every.

But that was an expectation.

But that norm is changing, right?

It is so again.

But people my age that, you know, we we hugged everybody.

But >> we we know that most abuse happens at the hands of someone who is trusted by the either the child or the family.

Yes, stranger Danger is not as again, not that it never happens.

But the majority of cases happened because that the child has been exposed to someone who is a trusted person within that family, either.

A coach, a family member, you know, so someone within that orbit of of that and has access to the based.

Yes, yeah.

We also know that the risk factors for child abuse and mental health issues, substance use disorder and domestic violence.

Again, any one of those factors that does not necessarily mean that a child is in danger line.

But all 3 of the factors are combination or any one factor that has escalated and a family is not getting help.

Will would certainly be another red flag.

So we think about vulnerable families who have those stressors may be their first time.

Our new parent.

>> They've got a domestic or intimate partner violence situation happening and maybe their partner suffers from substance abuse disorder.

You know, should you if you're a neighbor, just KET an extra eye out on that child or as you said earlier, go to them and say, hey, you know, why don't you go to the grocery store and I'll KET the busy and Giannis something that simple tasks, Lee?

Yes, I think used to call it green dot interventionist, right?

You know, just do what you can as a bystander.

Yes, yeah.

To be active.

People also may fear that, well, if I get involved, how obligated I might as like, stick with us, right, right.

And you know, certainly you're under no obligation to do that, but we would.

>> Ask you if if you're not going to get involved in making sure that that family is supported, then.

>> Who Yeah.

Where do we need to go?

I mean, what's the new?

I know that you all are always thinking about.

Okay.

Here's prevention techniques that were watching in Idaho and maybe they're having success with this is is that something that's on your radar about new ways to protect kids with a lean on me?

Kentucky campaign is we we stole it from prevent child abuse, And we know that West Virginia and some other states are also looking at it.

So that is a trend that is starting throughout the So lean on me.

Fill in the state and everything that we just talked about today.

>> Is part of that lean on me pledge like my pledge that I will community support or I will help families will help children.

And I pledge that I need help.

I will reach out.

And so that's another good point to raise about 4 families who feel like, okay, I'm at my wit's end here.

>> Maybe I have you acted out in a way against my child that I regret.

How do I get help?

Reach I mean, all you all you have to do is ask for There's mental health organizations.

There's other 2, 1, one you can call that has the resource Can Kentucky Connect has a lot of resources Yeah.

So it varies from community to community but there's there's a lot of organizations that want to be there to assist folks in need.

Yeah.

And the point that you make about, you know, this not just the stranger danger, but, you know, to be aware that people have access to a child all the time.

And one of the things we talked about this morning is that COVID why we were saying reporting numbers decline.

That wasn't always good news.

It was because they weren't.

And the eyesight of a teacher or a neighbor because of the isolation during that time.

Well, and we even before COVID that any time a family or a child is isolated, less eyes on that family, less eyes on that child.

>> Will not necessarily be a good thing.

Yeah.

>> Well, we have so much loot here and s*** and I wanted to I think that's on my lap here.

This lane on me, Kentucky tool This is a great tool.

And I hope that these are available for the general public to get these.

And it really does give you some great illustrations on how you can take action and you don't have to be a a superhero in a cape, right?

You just have to be a concerned citizen and it's up to all of us to to make sure that we're involved because we're a mandatory reporting states open.

You see something police say is that something you can always go to our website and you can watch our program on child abuse and neglect.

Akt special report that's online at KET Dot Org.

Slash health.

Please check that out until I see you again.

Please take good care.

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