OWENSBORO, Ky. — The annual STAND Against Child Abuse event will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 11, on the front lawn of Kentucky Wesleyan College. This event is free to the public and aims to raise awareness about child abuse prevention. It brings together dozens of community partners dedicated to the well-being of children and families. The event combines education and information with fun family activities, including a bouncy house, petting zoo, face painting, food, and giveaways.
“The STAND is a great event for the whole family,” said Green River Area Development District’s Community Collaboration for Children Program Administrator Maria Shyver. “Everyone has a fun time while also getting resources about preventing child abuse and neglect. We are grateful to our community partners who help make the STAND possible by bringing information and fun activities.”
This initiative, sponsored by GRADD’s Community Collaboration for Children Regional Network and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services’ Department for Community-Based Services, is held each year in April in conjunction with Child Abuse Prevention Month. Donations are provided by Five Star Food Services, Independence Bank, Specialty Foods Group, Sunrise Children Services, and Owensboro Health.
The Daviess County Fiscal Court will read a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month at 12:30 p.m. April 9, on the front lawn of Kentucky Wesleyan College. After the proclamation, students from Owensboro Innovation Academy will plant pinwheels along Frederica Street.
While the focus of the STAND is prevention, the event also honors the fatalities and near-fatalities due to child abuse and neglect in Kentucky in 2024. 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.
For more information, contact, Maria Shyver, CCC Program Administrator at 270-926-4433 and mariashyver@gradd.com.
