Child Abuse
By: Mara Danner & Emily Zambrowicz
Myths About Child Abuse
Fact: Subtle ways of abuse are just as harmful as physical.
Myth #2: Only bad people abuse their children.
Fact: Many abusers were once abused by their own parents and aren't aware of "good parenting".
Myth #3: Child abuse doesn't happen in "good" families.
Fact: Child abuse crosses all racial, economic, and cultural lines.
Myth #4: Most child abusers are strangers.
Fact: Majority of child abuse are caused by family members.
Myth #5: Abused children always grow up to be abusers.
Fact: The children that were abused, are usually the ones to prevent it due to their past.
Facts About Child Abuse
- A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds
- More than five children die every day as a result of child abuse.
- Approximately 80% of children that die from abuse are under the age of 4.
- It is estimated that between 50-60% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates.
- More than 90% of juvenile sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator in some way.
- Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.
- About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.
- About 80% of 21 year olds that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.
- The estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States for 2008 is $124 billion.
Protective Factors
- Nurturing and attachment
- Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development
- Parental resilience
- Social connections
- Concrete supports for parents
Prevention
- Public Awareness
- Skills-Based Curricula
- Parent Education
- Parent Support Groups
- Home Visitation
- Respite & Crisis Care Programs
- Family Resource Centers
Prevent Child Abuse
Email: capa@childabuseprevention.org
Website: ChiWorld.org
Location: Independence, Missouri
Phone: 1-800-422-4453
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Child-Abuse-Awareness/111105218945250
Twitter: @PCAAmerica