Source+Two

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 * Child abuse is an American epidemic. In 2005, more than 3.5 million children were reported as victims of child abuse or neglect.
 * The staggering truth is that before today is over, four children will DIE because their little bodies cannot bear any more abuse.
 * Child abuse kills more children in America than accidental falls, choking on food, suffocation or fires in the home.
 * In 2005, 1,460 children DIED from abuse or neglect
 * While the rate of deaths from abuse has been decreasing, it is still far too high! 80% of these losses were children age 4 or younger.
 * Infants under one year of age are the most common fatalities.
 * Another 899,000 children were victims of abuse or neglect …
 * 564,500 suffered neglect
 * 149,000 were physically abused
 * 83,500 were sexually abused
 * 64,000 were psychologically or emotionally abused
 * The youngest children are the most abused, Children age 3 and younger are consistently the most victimized group.
 * One in 3-4 girls and one in 6 boys have been molested by age 18
 * Boys report less than girls
 * 70-90% of the molesters are family members or friends
 * 62% of pregnant and parenting teens were raped, molested, or sexually assaulted prior to their first pregnancy.
 * Children who have been abused or neglected are 59% more likely to be arrested as juveniles
 * and 30% more likely to commit a violent crime as an adult.
 * Child abuse happens in all ethnic groups
 * In 2005, African-American children, American Indian or Alaska Native children, and Pacific Islander children had the highest rates of victimization.
 * White and Hispanic children had the next highest rates, and Asian children had the lowest rate.
 * Women are more likely to be held responsible for neglecting their children than men …
 * More than 8 out of 10 abused children are abused by their own parents…
 * Mothers are most often the perpetrators.
 * They either physically abuse their children or severely neglect meeting their basic needs of food and safe shelter.
 * Fathers, step-fathers, friends, and neighbors are generally the perpetrators of sexual abuse.
 * If one child in the family is being abused - generally other children are also.
 * Child abuse is a cycle... 1/3 of abused or neglected children will eventually victimize their own children.
 * If left unchecked, child abuse perpetuates itself.