Indiana leaders at least are talking about how to change two sorry statistics involving the Hoosier state.
Indiana leads the nation in the number of reported sexual assaults involving girls. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 17.3 percent of Hoosier girls in grades 9-12 report they have been raped. That compares to about 10.5 percent of girls nationwide.
The second sad statistic says Indiana’s infant mortality rate ranks as one of the worst in the nation. In 2011, nearly eight out of every 1,000 Hoosier children died before their first birthdays. Only five states had worse records.
Gov. Mike Pence on Friday called the infant mortality rate deplorable. He said improving it is a key goal of his administration.
When it comes to raising the survival rate of babies, Hoosier leaders understand the problem and seem to know how to attack it.
Dr. William VanNess, commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health, said too many Hoosier women smoke while pregnant — 16.6 percent in Indiana versus 9 percent nationally. They are more likely to be obese. And they are more likely to elect to have their babies delivered before the fetus is at least 39 weeks old.
Indiana mothers are also less likely to breastfeed and more likely to sleep in the same bed with their infants.
VanNess laid out a five-point plan to reduce the state’s infant mortality rate:
• reducing the number of pregnant women who are smoking and their obesity rates;
• discouraging parents from bringing their infants to their beds;
• working with hospitals to put a stop to elective, early deliveries;
• encouraging more women to breastfeed their infants; and
• analyzing and sharing data with local and regional health organizations to coordinate programs and education.
Unfortunately, Indiana lacks a clear plan for reducing the rate of sexual assaults on girls.
The state legislature’s Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee heard experts on the problem last week.
Before the hearing, Rep. Christina Hale, D-Indianapolis, pointed out how little we know about the reality behind the statistics. She asked, “Where is this happening? Is it an urban problem? A rural problem? Is it a problem in families, our schools, or a combination of both?”
Hoosiers face many questions about sexual assaults with few answers. That’s why we need a solid study to learn more before blindly attempting solutions.
Hale’s words at last week’s hearing should stay in the forefront of Hoosier thinking.
“It’s just not acceptable that our children are in danger of being victims of sexual crime,” she said. “What if we decided to do something together and do something about it? We could choose this issue and lead our nation.”