Blog, In the News

If you see something, say something.

Recently, The Courier Journal published an in-depth reporting of child sexual abuse by athletic coaches throughout Kentucky. Advocates for children in this field know all too well the impact this has on a child’s life — especially those who feel they must keep what happened to them private.

In fiscal year 2024, our nationally recognized Child Advocacy Center (CAC) had 1,492 children walk through our door. To receive services from our CAC, a child is referred by law enforcement or Child Protective Services and has either been sexually abused, severely physically abused or witnessed a violent crime. Out of the 1,492 children who walked through our door in FY ’24, 1,050 (70%) alleged they were sexually abused/assaulted.

The Courier Journal’s story talked about the ways in which high-profile cases such as former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nasser grab the spotlight, and how local cases — for the most part — remain in the dark. This is absolutely correct.

We see it in our CAC, too. We know we do not see every child in need of our service. We know the children we do see won’t be in the spotlight like the gymnasts’ cases. We know many children and youth suffer in silence from their trauma, sometimes because they either don’t know who to turn to, or they have told someone, and that person doesn’t believe them.

The harsh reality is child sexual abuse does happen. It happens in our community. It happens in our schools. It happens all around us.

And yet, it feels like nothing is being done to prevent it from happening again.

According to the report, the average age of the children who were sexually abused was 15. At that age, children should be starting high school, learning how to drive, and going through the ups and downs of puberty. They shouldn’t be worried about the potential of being sexually abused by a coach at the school whose letters they proudly wear across their chest and have in their bio on a social media account.

With the 2025 legislative session right around the corner, it is my hope lawmakers take the time to pass much need legislation to protect our children. By not doing this, we are continuing to silence and harm them.

By law in Kentucky, we are all mandated reporters, meaning if you suspect any form of child abuse is taking place, you must report it. If you see something, say something, because you could be the person who saves a child’s life.

Click here to read the full op-Ed published in The Courier-Journal.