• Every 60 seconds, five children in America will be reported abused; four of them will know their attacker. During the course of today, four children will have died as a result of abuse or neglect.
• More than 90% of abusers are people children know, love or trust.
• National statistics indicate that one in four girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused before they reach the age of 18. Reports show that more than 85% of incidents of sexual abuse are never reported.

Studies show that five children in America are reported abused every minute. Beyond the physical and emotional scars are the economic and societal burdens. Abuse affects school promotion rates, dropout rates and professional success rates. It costs the United States approximately $103 billion each year in foster care, incarceration, hospitalization, and other societal expenses.  Over 3,600 children were reported abused or neglected last year in the eight counties that make up NKY alone! 

Child Abuse Prevention Month Community Awareness Activities:

• Blue Ribbon 5K Race - Family Nurturing Center will host the third annual 5K race on Saturday, April 28. The 5K race begins and ends at General Cable, 4 Tesseneer Drive in Highland Heights with the course winding through Northern Kentucky University's campus.  Registration is $25 and includes a t-shirt.  Children 12 and under are free but must be accompanied by an adult. Families will enjoy this year's event with at the Kids Fun Lane and Fun Run. Activities include a petting zoo, puppet show, snacks and crafts which opens at 9:00 am. Free child care is available for ages 3-12, from 9-11:00 am. New this year is the Pump and Run Session in collaboration with Melody's Boot Camp. Open to everyone, participants should bring their own hand weights for a group lead pump session prior to the 10:00 race start. Teams and individuals will enjoy the intermediate level course, which is handicap accessible.  Awards will be given for the top three runners and walkers for both men and women. Registration is available on line at www.familynurture.org. $25 to pre-register and $35 on race day.  Family Nurturing Center is proud of the corporate support it is receiving from the following Community Partners in Prevention: General Cable, PPD, Melody's Boot Camp, Key Bank, Donna Bloemer Attorney at Law, Remke/Biggs, and Kroger.

• Blue Ribbon Awareness Campaign - The Bank of Kentucky is once again joining with Family Nurturing Center to promote awareness of child abuse prevention during the entire month of April. Customers at all Bank of Kentucky locations can make a donation to benefit Family Nurturing Center and receive an appreciation gift of either an enamel blue ribbon pin, a blue wristband with the phrase "There is no excuse for child abuse", or have their name displayed at the bank on a card for others to know of their support for children.  New this year, Family Nurturing Center is joining with Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky to provide Pinwheels for Prevention to bank customers. According to PCAK, the pinwheel was chosen to represent hope and promise. When individuals take part in this campaign they are making the statement, "every child deserves to be raised in a healthy, safe and nurturing environment." It is our hope this image can positively help impact the way the public views children, as well as the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

• Build a Blue Ribbon Tree - The community at large is invited to create or decorate a tree with blue ribbons to increase the awareness of child abuse in Northern Kentucky. If using a living tree, choose a highly visible location. Or create a unique, artificial tree for inside display. Pictures of the trees will be shown at the Blue Ribbon Ceremony and viewable on Family Nurturing Center's web site. Visit www.familynurture.org to download a Tree Registry form and to view past year's entries.

• Blue Sunday - Churches from across the Commonwealth are asked to recognize April 22, as "Blue Sunday". On this special Sunday, people of all faiths will join together in a day of prayer to demonstrate their support for children and families who have been touched by abuse and appreciation to those who help abused or neglected children. Churches are also encouraged to implement a Safe Sanctuaries program for their youngest parishioners. A Blue Sunday church bulletin insert and educational material for churches is available from Family Nurturing Center at www.familynurture.org.     

The Family Nurturing Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse by promoting individual well-being and healthy family relationships. It is a United Way partner agency and provides a variety of free services to children and families including family based parenting education, individual, family and group counseling for children impacted by sexual abuse and other violent crimes, shaken baby syndrome prevention, Stewards of Children, and the Kids on the Block puppet show teaching children to recognize, resist and report child abuse.

For additional information about the Blue Ribbon Campaign for April Child Abuse Prevention Month visit www.familynurture.org or call Tracy Fuchs at 859-538-1630.