Indiana's Secretary of State said Monday that child abuse is the leading cause of death in Hoosier children.

In Indiana, Todd Rokita told the attendees at the Kosciusko County Child Abuse Prevention Council's luncheon at Mosaique Restaurant, Warsaw, "children die at the rate of about one each week." Last year, 51 children died in Indiana as a result of abuse or neglect.

The purpose of the annual luncheon is to call attention to the ongoing problem of child abuse in the state and the nation. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Rokita was introduced by Jean Northenor, who said when she originally was asked to help the Child Abuse Prevention Council, her first thought was that child abuse didn't happen in Warsaw and Kosciusko County.

She was wrong, she said, adding, "Obviously, one is too many."

Rokita said that as leaders of this community, the luncheon participants have to ensure that the crime of child abuse doesn't increase as society grows.

"Where are we as a society, where are we as leaders, that we allow this to continue?" he asked.

In Kosciusko County, he said, one out of every 100 children is abused or neglected. And, he said, he believes that it may be more widespread "than we can detect."

In purely financial terms, child abuse has far-reaching effects, Rokita said. Crime in the United States costs more than $400 billion per year, and 13 percent of that, or $52 million, is attributed to child abuse.

"Our message can't stop within these walls," he said. "We have to take our message across the state."

For more information about the Child Abuse Prevention Council or about what individuals can do to help, call 574-269-5760. The Indiana Hotline for child abuse prevention is 800-CHILDREN (800-244-5373). [[In-content Ad]]