15 Apr The Kosair Charities Face It Movement to End Child Abuse Hosts Community Luncheon
PRESS CONTACTS:
Mara Powell Lindsay Wehr
mpowell@kyyouth.org lwehr@kosair.org
502-895-8167 *122 502-637-7696 *103
The Kosair Charities Face It® Movement to End Child Abuse Hosts Community Luncheon
Community partners and leaders come together in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month and to hear from sexual abuse activist, Rachael Denhollander
LOUISVILLE, KY (April 15, 2019) – The Kosair Charities Face It ® Movement brought together community partners and leaders committed to ending child abuse during a special luncheon on Monday, featuring keynote speaker Rachel Denhollander. Initiated in 2013, the movement was founded by Kosair Charities in response to the number of child abuse deaths in Kentucky. The luncheon, held at the Kentucky Science Center, serves as the culminating event for Child Abuse Prevention Month efforts and celebrates recent successes in helping to keep kids safe in the Commonwealth.
“Kosair Charities is committed to turning obstacles into opportunities. We are also committed to ensuring all kids are safe and healthy by investing in efforts to prevent and end child abuse in the Commonwealth,” said Keith Inman, President of Kosair Charities. “Kentucky has the highest rate in the nation in child abuse – a number one rating we should not be proud of. It is up to all of us to keep kids safe, and together we can build a supportive community and stronger families.”
Rachael Denhollander, who is a lawyer and sexual abuse activist, served as the keynote speaker for the Community Luncheon. Mrs. Denhollander was the first woman to file a police report and speak publicly against Larry Nassar – one of the most prolific sexual abusers in recorded history. As a result of her activism, over 250 women came forward as survivors of Nassar’s abuse, leading to his life imprisonment.
“We must face the problem of child abuse and face the depth of its impact on our communities,” said Ms. Denhollander. “Initiatives like the Kosair Charities Face It Movement bring together organizations and leaders who have the privilege and responsibility to protect children from harm. And we must also emphasize the key role policy change has in keeping kids safe.”
Face It also presented the third annual “Fearless Advocate Committed to the End” (FACE) of the Face It Movement to End Child Abuse awards at the Community Luncheon. Award recipients reflect the three-pronged approach of the Movement.
Policies to Improve the Child Welfare System
– Representative David Meade, Speaker Pro Tempore and Co-Chair of the Child Welfare Oversight and Advisory Committee – House Bill 158
– Senator Max Wise, Chair of the Senate Education Committee and Co-Chair of the School Safety Working Group – Senate Bill 1
– Representative John “Bam” Carney, Majority Floor Leader and Co-Chair of the School Safety Working Group – Senate Bill 1
Best Practices in Child Abuse Prevention
– The BOUNCE Coalition
– Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C)
Awareness and Community Engagement
– Exploited Children’s Help Organization (ECHO)
– Peace Education Program
Community Leadership
– Judy Freundlich Tiell, Retired Executive Director of Jewish Family & Career Services
“The vision, courage, and tenacity of Kosair Charities commitment to this Movement is making a very real and significant difference in ending child abuse in Kentucky. While the Face It Movement recognizes the importance of on-the-ground efforts, it also tackles complex policy issues,” said Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates. “We cannot program ourselves out of this crisis. Boundary-spanning policies are essential to address endemic issues like abuse and neglect. The Face It effort has built a track record in Frankfort and we intend for the track record to be enriched in 2020.”
Additionally, the Face It Movement announced its newest partnership with Delta DentalÒof Kentucky. Through the Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation, created in 2004 to support projects and nonprofit organizations in Kentucky, Delta Dental has quickly become a state leader in charitable giving and philanthropic support. With a focus on partnerships that provide care to Kentucky’s most at-risk, Delta Dental is an organization committed to improving quality of life across the Commonwealth. This unique partnership seeks to build awareness, educate, and equip Kentucky’s dental health professionals with the knowledge and resources necessary to recognize and report signs of child abuse and neglect.
The Face It Community Luncheon was held at the Kentucky Science Center with Renee Murphy of Jefferson County Public Schools as the event emcee. Attendees included representatives from the over 70 partners in the Movement, community advocates, state and local officials, and state legislators.
To learn more about the Face It Movement, how to recognize and report abuse, and prevention resources, visit www.faceitabuse.org.
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About the Face It® Movement: The Face It® Movement launched in 2013 as an initiative led by Kosair Charities® in response to the number of child abuse deaths in the Commonwealth. Face It focuses on a three-pronged approach to addressing child abuse and neglect: promote best practices in child abuse prevention and intervention, build awareness and engage the community, and advocate for effective policies to improve the child welfare system. Learn more at faceitabuse.org.
About Kosair Charities®:
Kosair Charities enhances the health and well-being of children by delivering financial support for healthcare, research, education, social services, and child advocacy. We envision a world in which children in need live life to the fullest. For more information, please visit kosair.org.