Child Victims’ Trust Fund tax check-off makes it easy to help victims of child sexual abuse
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2019) – With tax return season in full swing, Attorney General Andy Beshear is reminding Kentuckians to donate a portion of their state tax return to combat child sexual abuse.
Beshear said to support the non-profit Child Victims’ Trust Fund, which is attached to the Office of the Attorney General, Kentuckians receiving a state tax refund only need to check the box on the form and designate a portion directly to the fund.
“No amount of money is insignificant when it comes to supporting the prevention of child abuse,” said Beshear. “If every Kentuckian receiving a refund would make a small donation we could make significant strides toward our mission of stopping child abuse in the Commonwealth.”
Beshear said over the past three years, the Child Victims’ Trust Fund has awarded more than $410,000 in statewide and regional grants to organizations that help protect Kentucky children from sexual abuse.
Jill Seyfred, executive director at Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky based in Lexington said, “With funding from the trust fund, we were able to develop critical radio and TV prevention messages for statewide distribution. We know the Public Service Announcements were viewed or listened to thousands of times and provided yet another vehicle to ensure our children remain safe.”
Since 2016, the fund has supported Children’s Advocacy Centers and victims across the state by paying for more than 2,100 child sexual abuse medical exams.
The Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center relies on the funding to seek justice for child victims throughout Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson and Warren counties.
The Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center Director Jennifer Bryant said, “We are thankful for the Child Victims’ Trust Fund for helping us provide child sexual abuse medical exams for children in the ten county Barren River Region. Access to these specialized exams leads to faster healing for the children victimized by unthinkable sexual abuse.”
Individuals whose organizations serve more than 102,500 Kentucky kids annually have received training sponsored by the fund on how to protect kids from sexual abuse by implementing best practices, policies and protocols.
Jane Herms, executive director at the Family Nurturing Center in Northern Kentucky said the organization is grateful for the increased support from the Child Victims’ Trust Fund.
“The Stewards of Children program provides a vehicle where every adult can take an active role in safeguarding children and ending the cycle of child abuse,” said Herms. “The support from the Attorney General’s office and the citizens who contribute to the Child Victims’ Trust Fund is helping to transform lives and our communities.”
Created in 1984, the fund, administered by the Office of the Attorney General, depends on tax-deductible contributions to aid child abuse prevention organizations. The Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board, a 170(c)(1) nonprofit, distributes the funds through a grant process.
Since taking office, Beshear has made protecting children from abuse one of the top priorities for his office.
Kentuckians have a moral and legal duty to report any suspicion of child abuse to local law enforcement or to Kentucky’s Child Abuse hotline at 877-597-2331 or 877-KYSAFE1.
Visit the Child Victims’ Trust Fund website at icareaboutkids.ky.gov.
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