FRANKFORT, Ky. — Reports of child abuse and neglect in Kentucky were down significantly in April and May.
The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) told lawmakers on the Child Welfare and Oversight Committee April saw almost half the number of reports this April than in April 2019 with 5,868 cases being reported to the department. May saw slightly more reports with 6,562 but that was down from 10,637 in May of 2019, however that doesn’t mean abuse is not still happening it is another side effect of the closure of schools.
“June starts to more closely approximate what you should see in summer months when schools are closed anyway,” explained Christa Bell, Director of the Division of Protection and Permanency at DCBS.
Schools are the number one place where is abuse or neglect of a child is spotted which some lawmakers say is a reason they need to try and get students back to the classroom when it is safe to do so.
“Teachers are generally the ones who notice the bruises, the bumps, the discomfort in the child so I know it’s important to get the school started but I know the governor and everybody else with this mask and distancing, it is a difficult spot we find ourselves in,” said Sen. Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville.
With schools across the state moving to start the school year virtually, Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Crofton, wanted to know what was being to address the problem.
“We all know that abuse and neglect hasn’t stopped,” he said.
DCBS says they are working Family Resource Centers to inform families about supports that are available to families.
“Really that’s our best opportunity for prevention, our best forum to provide those supports for families within the school system to be the first line to prevent maltreatment in the first place or you know respond to concerns or troubles families may be having,” said Bell.
There have been no real changes or plans made however to find a way to make sure that abuse is spotted in children aside from sharing information about what types of supports are there for families.
“We have taken the opportunity when we respond to certain media requests to share information that are potential supports for families and also release information about preventing child abuse Kentucky and the services they provide,” said Bell.
If you are concerned a child you know may be a victim of child abuse there are still ways to see, experts suggest video calling families and friends and asking to see the child to help spot any signs of abuse.
Bruises are the number one overlooked early signs of child abuse but can be one of the most important indicators. Experts suggest using the “Ten-4 Rule” when looking for signs of abuse, which stands for torso, ears, and neck.
“Any bruising to the torso, ears or neck of a child, four years of age or younger, or any bruising anywhere on a baby that's not yet pulling up and taking steps is high risk and needs to be evaluated,” explains Dr. Melissa Currie, Medical Director and Chief at Norton Children’s Pediatric Protection Team Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
Cuts and scratches on children usually tend to be accidental injuries but other signs of abuse could be burns seen on children or injuries to limbs that go untreated even if the injury was accidental.
“A child who falls off a trampoline and hurts their leg and the family doesn’t seek care for a week,” Dr. Currie says. “If you find out a child is not using a limb, that can be a sign of medical neglect that is something we look for as well."
Every resident in Kentucky is mandated to report child abuse to authorities if they believe they see signs of it.
If you believe a child is being abused call 1-877-KYSAFE1.