Advocates say state government, the justice system, law enforcement, and social workers all play a critical role in stepping up prevention measures.
The rise of the opioid epidemic, fentanyl, and legalized marijuana products in households has increasingly put very young children at risk of landing in emergency rooms, explained Dr. Gerard Rabalais, pediatrician and a member of the Kosair for Kids Advisory Council.
"The percent of children who are dying in Kentucky has dramatically changed," said Rabalais, "from abusive head trauma 10, 15 years ago, to now getting into mom or dad's drugs, whether it's prescription or non-prescription medications."
Despite a 13% reduction in child abuse cases from 2020 to 2024, the Commonwealth continues to see nearly double the national rate of child maltreatment.
Every adult in Kentucky is a mandated reporter of child maltreatment. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the Child Protection Hotline at 1-877-K-Y-SAFE-1.
More children are increasingly at risk of interactions with online predators. State Rep. Marianne Proctor, R-Union, is the lead sponsor of House Bill 4, which would identify additional criminal penalties for grooming behaviors.
Proctor added that grooming nearly always precedes sexual abuse of children.
"We've had several cases that have happened in Boone County where there was clearly grooming behaviors," said Proctor, "but they weren't able to prosecute it because we don't have anything on the books, so they had to go with other crimes that may have been committed concurrently."
Cortney Downs, chief innovation officer with Kentucky Youth Advocates, said the data show nearly 60% of perpetrators of substantiated cases of maltreatment in the state were the child’s mother or father. Drug or alcohol abuse is a primary factor.
"I think it's just really important for people to know," said Downs, "this just shows us the ongoing and urgent need to really better support parents, especially of young children."
According to the data, nearly two-thirds of substantiated cases of maltreatment were first-time victims.
