Oklahomans rally at State Capitol for child well-being reform amid alarming abuse statistics
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — People gathered at the State Capitol, fighting for Children's Rights in Oklahoma, in light of a recent report from Child Help that ranks Oklahoma as one of the top ten worst states for child abuse.
According to the 2022 Kids Count Report, Oklahoma ranks 40th in the nation for child well-being, and on Saturday Oklahomans called for child well-being reform in the state.
"I will stand on the battlefield and we will draw blood and we will go we will put on the armor of God and we will fight everyday side by side as brothers and sisters until these children have the safety and the right to thrive and the right to survive that Oklahoma gave the fetus inside the womb," said Mandy Reid with Oklahomans for Children.
According to a survey by WalletHub, Oklahoma is one of the worst states in the country to raise a child,
"Oklahoma now ranks in the top five worst states for child abuse, top five worst states for domestic violence, top five worst states for intimate partner homicide, top five states for human trafficking," said Private Child Abuse Investigator, David Ballard, "We ranked 42nd for one of the worst states to raise a child in."
Many are working to change those alarming statistics, but are calling on lawmakers to make it a priority.
"So we need to take action now until we do call on Senator Racino, Pro Tem Greg Treat, to take action," said former Oklahoma State Senator Jake Merrick. "Representative Tally, those that are over these committees that deal with Health and Human Services and child welfare, you need to take action. You need to hear the bills that are put forth..."
Speakers discussed DHS child welfare reform, family and guardianship court reform, and parents and kinship reform.
"Those are very big issues as they are and we want to make sure that children are safe, whatever that looks like as being safe, right? physically safe, mentally safe," said Event Organizer, and True Crime TV Producer, Rosario Chico.
For more information on the event, click here.
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