“Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse. More than three out of four are under the age of 4,” (Childhelp, 2010).
In some cases, the caregiver has a substance abuse or mental health issue and this greatly impacts their ability to adequately raise their children. The caregiver may also have been abused in their own life, so they may not know any other way to treat their children. Child abuse may not always be easy to detect, but it is best to trust your instincts if you think it is happening to someone you know; you could be saving a child’s life. Abuse takes a psychological toll on children later in their life, and in many cases, the harm is irreversible. Additionally, if a child confides in you, you should take their words to heart and take them seriously. Children depend on their caregivers to teach and protect them, but when their caregivers fail to do so, someone else should be there to save them.
SOURCES:
National Child Abuse Statistics: http://www.childhelp.org
Child Abuse and Neglect: http://helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_
emotional_sexual_neglect.htm
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