Preventing Child Abuse Before It Starts: Lessons from Indiana’s Latest Data
- Johnette Cruz
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Behind The Filter Podcast
The latest Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) Child Fatalities Report isn’t just a collection of statistics; it is a sobering call to action for every Hoosier. On the latest episode of the Behind the Filter podcast, we sat down with Nicholle Probst, Senior Director of Childhood Development and Safety at Prevent Child Abuse Indiana (PCAIN), to unpack these findings and discuss how we can shift from reacting to tragedy to preventing it entirely.
The Reality of the 2024 DCS Fatality Report
In 2024, DCS investigated 276 child deaths where abuse or neglect was suspected. Of those, 59 deaths were found to be the direct result of caregiver maltreatment.
The Most Vulnerable: 71% of these children were age 3 or younger.
The Location: 73% of these tragedies occurred within the child's own home.
The Context: 81% of perpetrators were biological parents, often struggling with stressors like unemployment, substance abuse, and insufficient income.
"DCS is an intervention agency; they respond after a threshold is met," Probst explained. "As a community, we have to be the ones to wrap around families before a crisis occurs."
Eyes on the Child: Water Safety
Drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1–4. It is often silent and can happen in just inches of water.
To combat this, PCAIN has launched the Water Watcher Badge program. This simple tool designates one adult as the "Water Watcher," ensuring that supervision is active, focused, and not distracted by phones or social interaction.
Navigating the Digital Front: Online Safety
With the rise of generative AI and increasing reports of online exploitation, protecting children in digital spaces is more complex than ever. In 2024, the CyberTipline received over 20 million reports of suspected exploitation.
Red Flags for Parents to Teach Their Kids:
Personal Inquiries: Anyone asking for age, location, or specific daily schedules.
Platform Hopping: Requests to move from a public gaming site to a private messaging app.
Grooming Tactics: Offering gifts, money, or demanding photos.
Pro-Tip from Nicholle Probst: Keep technology in "neutral" zones. Laptops and tablets should stay in common living areas, not behind closed bedroom doors.
How You Can Help: Primary Prevention
Prevention works when we address the root causes of stress. PCAIN focuses on Primary Prevention—stopping abuse before it starts through:
Public Education: Sharing safe parenting and child development resources.
Financial Support: Helping families meet basic needs so stress doesn't boil over.
Community Training: Offering free abuse prevention training to schools, churches, and civic groups.
Get Involved this April
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. You can support the mission by:
Attending the Kickoff: Join PCAIN at the Indiana State House this April.
Steps for Prevention 5K: Register for the annual event on April 18th to honor the legacy of prevention advocates and raise vital funds.
Joining a Local Council: There are over 50 volunteer-led councils across Indiana working on "boots on the ground" prevention.
If you suspect a child is a victim of abuse or neglect, call the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556. It is available 24/7 and reports can be made anonymously.
Watch or listen to the full episode below!
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~J