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The end of a calendar year is a time of reflection. At Family & Children’s Place, we think of ways to continue protecting and healing children and families from abuse and neglect in the upcoming year.

At the end of December, Indiana released their 2022 Annual Report of Child Abuse & Neglect Fatalities. This annual report shows the state’s official record of child deaths, determined by the Indiana Department of Child Services, caused by child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment.

The report shows that the Indiana Department of Child Services investigated 308 child fatalities in which abuse or neglect was suspected to be a factor or which involved a child under age 3 whose death was sudden, unexpected, or unexplained. In 2021, this number was 271.

Out of the 308 child fatalities, 20% were determined to be a direct result of caregiver maltreatment.

Of the total fatalities, 17 were due to abuse, and 44 were due to neglect.

We can — and we must — end child abuse.

Reading about the death of a child is devastating and heartbreaking. And while it is so difficult, we must acknowledge and discuss the tragedy, if we are committed to ending child fatalities that result from child abuse.

For 140 years, Family & Children’s Place has been in the community helping create happy, healthy lives for children and families free from abuse. Our main office is in Louisville, but we offer services for children and families in 10 counties in Southern Indiana.

Children and families across our community need your help.

We know that child abuse and neglect can be prevented. As seen in the report from Indiana, caregiver stressors were determined to play a role in a child’s death. The rates of chronic illness, disability, history of being a victim of child maltreatment, substance use disorder, unemployment and insufficient income all increased from 2021 to 2022 among these caregivers.

Residents of Indiana are mandated to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, by law you must report it.

The number to report suspected child abuse or neglect is 1-800-800-5556.

As we enter a new year, I ask that you take the time to learn more about the signs of child abuse and neglect. If you suspect a child is the victim of this, please don’t hesitate to file the report. You never know when you could save a child’s life.

Together, we can — and we will — end child abuse.

You can read the op-Ed from the News and Tribune in Southern Indiana here.