Child abuse awareness: community leaders offer resources for parents

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Community leaders are stepping up against child abuse in Kentucky.

The month of April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and according to the National Children’s Alliance, in 2024, 1,773 children either died from child abuse or neglect. 

According to Norton Healthcare, Kentucky is ranked the fifth highest in the country for child abuse.

Shawna Wood, the executive director of Foundry Christian Community Center, said, “Stress happens for all of us. Parenting is the hardest job you’ll ever have.”

The Administration for Children and Families Child Maltreatment 2024 data shows that 44,353 child protective service caseloads were filed in the state of Kentucky. It was also found that children less than age one were abused more than ages one through 18.

“Breathing is the best thing you can do. count to 10 if you need to in your head. hurting them is not the answer. it’s not the answer at all,” said Trooper Katan Parker, Kentucky State Police public affairs officer for Post Three.

Community leaders are stepping up to provide a safe space for parents to escape. 

The Foundry Christian Community Center offers community fitness classes Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Wood said this was a coined effort by parents who needed an outlet to breathe. 

“Those actually were birthed out of a conversation with our parents and our neighbors who said, ‘listen, we need a healthy way to deal with stress,'” Wood said. 

Here are ways to combat stress triggers when dealing with your kids.

• Identify triggers
• Try to laugh
• Teach instead of punishing
• Try the five minute and 5 feet space rule
• And try not to get defensive.
• Speaking to a family support specialist is also good practice

“I would like parents to know that we get it. It is hard. Don’t feel terrible about yourself if you’re in that moment of frustration but reach out to somebody and let them know listen, I’m struggling with this,” Wood said.

Bowling Green offers children activities so that parents can take a breath of fresh air. Parker and Bennett Community Center, the Foundry Christian Community Center, the Boys and Girls Club and the Housing Authority are to name a few organizations that have programs for kids to enjoy.

If you or anyone you know are experiencing child abuse or the signs are there, report it to authorities.

“Be very cognizant of how the child is and the marks on the child, that child’s emotional state,” Parker said.