OWENSBORO, Ky. — The Stand Against Child Abuse is set for 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 14, on the front lawn of Kentucky Wesleyan College. The theme for this year is Planting Seeds of Prevention.
The STAND is a unique event, pulling together dozens of community partners who have an interest in the well-being of children and families. This year’s event will feature fun activities, such as inflatables and a petting zoo, free hot dogs, and a wide range of resource booths to inform families of services in the community.
A moment of remembrance will be observed for the statewide fatalities and near fatalities, resulting from child abuse or neglect. A tree-planting ceremony will take place. While prevention is the focus of the STAND, it is important to acknowledge that child abuse and neglect continue to happen.
“The STAND Against Child Abuse is an opportunity to come together and STAND up for children. It is also an important time for our community to remember those children who have lost their lives due to child abuse,” said Jodi McCarty, Sunrise Children’s Services Independent Living Specialist. “This year, we will be remembering the fifty-eight lives lost and honoring 138 lives that were nearly lost due to child abuse in Kentucky. I would like to encourage our community to be vigilant in learning signs of abuse and how to prevent and report it.”
This annual event is hosted by GRADD’s Community Collaboration for Children Regional Network and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services’ Department for Community Based Services. The event is held during April in conjunction with Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“We want to thank the community for their commitment to the prevention of child abuse, not only during Child Abuse Prevention Month, but every month,” says GRADD CCC Coordinator Kristy James. “We are especially grateful to our sponsors, and our partner agencies who host booths at the STAND to provide invaluable information and resources to families.”
To anonymously report an incident of suspected abuse or neglect, call the Kentucky Child Protection Hotline at 1-877-597-2331 or your local law enforcement agency.
Funding for the STAND Against Child Abuse is in whole or in part from federal, CHFS, or other state funds.
For more information, contact:
Kristy James, CCC Coordinator
300 GRADD Way, Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 852-1381
kristyjames@gradd.com