LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- New numbers are showing the scope of child abuse in Kentucky.
The data comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2023 Child Maltreatment report.
The report shows 14,484 children were victims of maltreatment in Kentucky during the report's data collection.
Despite a 28% drop in child abuse in Kentucky from 2019-23, the state has nearly doubled the rate of abuse, compared to the national average (7.4 per 1,000). That's 14.2 per 1,000 children statewide.
Of those cases, 51% were classified as neglect; 18% physical abuse; 9% as psychological mistreatment; and 6% as sexual abuse.
Kentucky Youth Advocates said young children remain the most vulnerable victims of abuse or neglect, as 30% of total victims are under the age of four. Data shows babies under the age of one account for the highest rate of victims, 34.6 per 1,000.
Advocates said understanding risk factors and supporting parents are the keys to reducing those numbers.
Kosair for Kids launched the Face It Movement, aimed at ending child abuse by providing tools to promote recognizing and preventing child abuse and maltreatment. The Movement and Kentucky Youth Advocates said they're advocating for state policy priorities this legislative session to "ensure students have a safe environment to learn that is free from abuse" through a few pieces of legislation.
To learn more about the legislation being filed, click here.
For more information about the Face It Movement, click here.
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- Norton Children's opens new center combatting child abuse at the Home of the Innocents
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