http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/violenceprevention\/acestudy\/index.html<\/strong><\/p>\nWhy do we still have people who change the subject whenever someone begins a dialogue about what happened to them as a child? Why do we think this doesn\u2019t affect us? And worse, why do normal, intelligent and sensitive people still refuse to believe that the information on this page is not bogus. This is our real life. This is our real problem.<\/p>\n
Statistics on child abuse for other countries, especially third world countries, is even higher than in the US. It is more difficult to treat than in the US. In some countries it is not only tolerated, it is part of their culture.<\/p>\n
Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to\u00a0child\u00a0protection agencies involving more than 6.6 million children (a referral can include multiple children). The United States has one of the worst records among industrialized nations \u2013 losing on average between four and seven children every day to\u00a0child\u00a0abuse\u00a0and neglect.<\/p>\n
More current information from the Centers for Disease Control:<\/p>\n
\n- There were 676,000 victims of child abuse and neglect reported to child protective services (CPS) in 2016.<\/li>\n
- A non-CPS study estimated that 1 in 4 children experience some form of child abuse or neglect in their lifetimes and 1 in 7 children have experienced abuse or neglect in the last year.<\/li>\n
- About 1,750 children died from abuse or neglect in 2016.<\/li>\n
- The total lifetime economic cost of child abuse and neglect is estimated at $124 billion each year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The most alarming data of all is that only 10% of child abuse cases, including sexual abuse, is the result of a stranger being the perpetrator. The one who harms you is most likely someone you know. This invalidates the entire philosophy I grew up with that said, \u201cwatch out for strangers.\u201d We cannot stand around closing our eyes and changing the subject. Become informed first. It is vital that you know the symptoms of child sexual abuse in particular. Talk to others about it. Drag this ugly subject out in to the light. Don\u2019t let the world turn their backs.<\/p>\n
(current stats on child abuse are not available because time is needed to compile, analyze, and publish data; statistical publications often are released two or more years after the time period being analyzed.)<\/p>\n
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