Child Abuse: Mayor Lucas signs proclamation raising awareness
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is g a proclamation Friday morning at the Child Protection Center highlighting the importance of preventing child abuse in our communities.
C serves Jackson, Cass, and Lafayette counties and its data shows they provided 991 forensic interviews, more than 720 advocacy sessions with caregivers, and more than 1,800 completed therapy sessions last year. 991 pinwheels are set up outside their building on Main Street to showcase how many children they served.
“You guys matter a lot and I have grown to love seeing so many of you here each year, and it means a lot to me that many of you can do a lot of other things with your time, and you’re volunteering, or your work, and so many of you are here,” said Lucas.
Just to name some of the things children in our community are living through, the C’s Yearly Report’s “Reason for Referral” section shows:
- 511 children were referred for sexual abuse
- 341 children were referred for physical abuse
- 165 children were referred for witnessing child abuse
- 116 children were referred for witnessing domestic violence
- 20 children were referred for witnessing a homicide
“991 failures, children that we were not able to protect. So, I want to remind everyone to work more diligently as a community to make sure we’re giving children what they need,” said C President and CEO Lisa Mizell.
They saw close to 900 children for forensic interviews and therapy sessions in 2022.
C representatives, law enforcement officials, and child advocates ed Mayor Lucas for this recognition.
“Every child in Kansas City deserves to grow up in a safe and ive environment. Where they’re surrounded by love and nurturing and we all can play a role in ensuring that that can becomes a reality,” said Lucas. “This month, I hope you consider ways that you – any of you listening or watching – can get involved.”
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According to the CDC, at least one in seven children in the united states experience child abuse or neglect but it’s likely an under-estimate because many cases go unreported. More than 1,700 children died of abuse or neglect in the U.S. In 2020 -- experiencing poverty can place a lot of stress on families, which may increase the risk for child abuse and neglect. Child abuse and neglect rates are five times higher for children in families with low socioeconomic status.
Missouri’s Child Abuse and Neglect Annual Report for 2023 shows that the most frequently reported worker findings were bruises, welts or red marks. Lack of supervision was cited often.
The Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline Unit operates year-round on a 24/7 basis -- staffed by 50 full-time and 12 part-time children’s service workers and a call to the hotline is referred to as a “Report” or “Reported incident.” The hotline had received more than 61,000 reported incidents that involved more than 86,000 children in Missouri over the course of the fiscal year.
“One case of child abuse is one too many in our city. This month, we recommit ourselves to breaking the cycle of violence and protecting our most vulnerable residents - our children,” said Lucas.
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