Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Conway Reminds Kentuckians of the Child Victims' Trust Fund Tax Refund Check-Off

Attorney General Jack Conway reminds Kentuckians who have not yet filed their tax returns that they can help support child sexual abuse prevention programs across the Commonwealth through the Kentucky Income Tax Refund Check-Off . Located in the "Fund Contributions" section of the Kentucky income tax form, the tax refund check-off allows Kentuckians to donate to the Child Victims' Trust Fund, a non-profit program that provides local communities with funding for child sexual abuse prevention programs. The fund also reimburses Kentucky's Children's Advocacy Centers.

"The tax refund check-off program helps ensure that Kentuckians know how to protect their children from child sexual abuse and that children are armed with the knowledge they need should they become victims of this horrific crime," said General Conway, chairman of the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board (CSAEP), which oversees the CVTF.

In fiscal year 2010, contributions to the CVTF tax refund check-off totaled more than $70,200. Contributions from the sale of the "I Care About Kids" special license plates and private donations also help fund the CVTF.

For fiscal year 2011, the CSAEP Board has awarded $131,683 to regional and statewide child sexual abuse prevention programs. The board also distributed $87,750 in medical reimbursement to defray the costs of child sexual abuse medical exams that weren't covered by insurance or Medicaid.

Nationally, rates regarding child victims of rape or sexual assault range from 1.2 to 1.9 children per 1,000. According to statistics from Kentucky Youth Advocates' Kids Count report, there were more than 3,200 investigations of child sexual abuse in Kentucky last year. Approximately one-third of all sexual assaults reported to law enforcement involved a victim under the age of 12. It's estimated that only one in 10 victims of sexual abuse ever discloses the abuse.

"The consequences of sexual abuse are significant and can last a lifetime," said General Conway. "I hope you will join me in supporting the child sexual abuse prevention efforts across Kentucky either through the Kentucky Income Tax Check-Off Refund, the "I Care About Kids" license plates or by making a private donation to the Child Victims' Trust Fund."

For more information on the CSAEP Board and Child Victims' Trust Fund, visit http://ag.ky.gov/criminal/victims/cvtf/

You can follow Attorney General Conway on Twitter @kyoag, visit the Attorney General's Facebook page or view videos on our YouTube channel.