Child Abuse in Bay County on the Rise
December 28, 2013
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By: Josh Sharrow
Help Prevent Child Abuse
The recently released 2013 Kids Count in Michigan report shows a significant increase in the number of child abuse victims in Bay County from 2011 (312) to 2012 (4 00). The number of children in families investigated for abuse and neglect also increased (2,281 to 3,054).
Bay County ranked no. 58 of 83 counties with 131 children per 1,000 living in homes investigated for abuse and neglect compared to the statewide average of 90 children per 1,000. The rate of confirmed victims (17.2/1,000) also exceeded the state average (14.6/1,000).
Suzanne Greenberg, President/CEO of CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region, explains, "More people are reporting suspected child abuse and neglect, and we're seeing more confirmed victims. That tells us people are doing the right thing by making the call to Children's Protective Services. But our work as children's advocates is far from done. We need to continue reaching parents with support and education to prevent abuse from happening in the first place. And our policy makers need to work together to strengthen our local economy to ease the burdens of our families."
Full report data is available at
http://www.mlpp.org/kids-count/michigan-2/mi-data-book-2013. Contact Emily Yeager, CAN Public Awareness Specialist, at (989)752-7226 with questions about our local data. For more information on how CAN is impacting child abuse in our community, contact Suzanne Greenberg at (989)752-7226 or visit cancouncil.org. To report suspected child abuse, call 855.444.3911.
Josh Sharrow
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Sharrow is the Sales Manager, columnist, writer, coffee maker for O.J. Advertising and an on-air personality for 98 KCQ.
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