You strive everyday to protect and care for your children and you feel very confident that you’d know if something was wrong with your child.  But, did you know that 90 percent of children  who are sexually abused are abused by someone they know and trust?  And of those children, 45 percent of them do not tell anyone about the abuse for an average of five years?

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reports that 1,572 children were reported abused or neglected in Boone County last year, with 3,692 children reported in Kenton County, and 1,136 reports in Campbell County.  It’s time to change those numbers for the better.

The Family Nurturing Center (FNC), a non-profit in Northern Kentucky and Hamilton County dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse, can help you get involved.

  • Stop by any Bank of Kentucky location to make a donation to the FNC, and receive a blue ribbon pin or wristband.  Build a Blue Ribbon Tree in your front yard.
  • Elementary schools can schedule FNC’s Kids on the Block performance, a puppet show for kids that explains what abuse is, how to identify it, and what to do about it.
  • Parents can attend the FNC’s Stewarts of Children training program to learn the signs of abuse and what to do if you see them.
  • April 10, wear blue and take a selfie in front of your company sign, or do it as a family, and share your photo on FNC’s Facebook page.
  • April 27 is Blue Sunday, when churches of all faiths are asked to join together in a day of prayer.
  • April 30, stop by the City Barbeque in Florence (8026 Burlington Pike) with a flier downloaded from familynurture.org, and 25 percent of the cost of your order will be donated to FNC.
  • May 16, participate in the Blue Ribbon 5K (benefiting the FNC) at Lunken Airport Playfield (Beechmont Circle and Wilmer Court).  The race opens with a kids’ fun run, then runners and walkers will enjoy a chip-timed race on a paved course through the park.  Pre-registration costs $25, and is $35 on race day; kids 12 and younger run for free.  Register online at FNC’s web site.

Child abuse affects everyone — it just takes awareness and education for everyone to help make a change.  Call the FNC at 859-525-3200 or visit familynurture.org to get started!

YOU CAN HELP!

If you believe a child is being abused, make an anonymous report to the following:

Kentucky:

  • 859-292-6550 (weekdays)
  • 877-KY SAFE 1 (nights/weekends)

Ohio:

  • 513-241-KIDS