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	Strengthen Kentucky's Anti-Child Abuse Laws Cincinnati Enquirer February 13, 2008 http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/EDIT02/802130327/1090 Did you know that the laws for cockfighting in Kentucky are tougher than the laws for sexually abusing a 12-year-old? Sexual abuse of children by trusted adults -- whether clergy, educators, family members or others -- is not a cock and bull story. Reports of these terrible crimes have peaked during the past few years as hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against Catholic dioceses, other churches, and institutions in Kentucky and across the United States. The Diocese of Covington has the unhappy distinction of being the first diocese to face a class-action suit of more than $82 million due to sexual abuse. A growing number of Kentuckians are saying, "Enough." It is time for Kentucky to do a much better job of protecting our children. A coalition of Kentucky citizens, Protecting Our Children, has formed to do something about it. With the help of local legislators, we have drafted House Bill 211, which would strengthen the child sexual abuse legislation in Kentucky. So far it has been co-sponsored by 13 Kentucky legislators and supported by the Kentucky Education Association, the Catholic Conference of Kentucky, and Northern Kentucky Voice of the Faithful. The passage of HB 211 is a big step in preventing this criminal conduct from occurring in our Commonwealth on such a wide scale and with such impunity. We can act now so that fewer children will be at risk in the future. If you would like to support this legislation, urge your legislator to vote for HB 211 (go to www.lrc.ky.gov for legislator contact information). For further information about the legislation, go to www.votfnky.org and click Of Current Interest, or call Shannon Whelan at 502-290-4389. We, and all our children, will be grateful for your support.
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