Child Abuse Statistics

Earlier this week, some of the national news headlines focused on a man who was shot dead by police as he beat a toddler to death. This crazed man had pulled over, in the dark, dragged his son out of his vehicle and proceeded to kick him, stomp on him, throw him to the ground and simply beat the life out of him. Bystanders stopped to intervene but his determination was no match for them. Finally, police shot and killed him after many demands to stop beating the child. The little boy was already dead and his massive injuries made identification a difficult task. Hearing that story draws attention to the child abuse statistics that are often ignored and overlooked. No one wants to admit that every moment of every single day, children are suffering. People dont want to look at the child abuse statistics and feel depressed. Of course, no one likes to feel depressed. But, ignoring the child abuse that takes place every single day certainly isnt going to allow those young victims to overlook the abuse that they
suffer.

The saddest fact in all of the child abuse statistics that you will ever hear, is knowing that over three million claims of abuse are filed every year, and experts estimate that there are three times that amount that simply go without being reported. An average of four children in the United States dies each day as a result of abuse and neglect. The child abuse statistics that are made public, might seem like just charts, graphs and numbers. The harsh reality is that when you climb into your bed tonight, four tiny human beings have died that day at the hands of their abusers. It is disturbing. And, even more disturbing, is knowing that their abusers are most often the individuals who brought them into the world. The same people who are supposed to be loving them and protecting them, are the people who are stealing their innocence from them.

Child abuse statistics have shown that almost 80% of children who are killed each year, are under the age of four. Those children never even had a chance to learn anything about the world. All they ever knew was abuse. Those children who survive, grow up and live to tell about it might eventually have their own children. Perhaps their experiences with child abuse will make them better parents. But, 1/3 of those former victims will pass along the child abuse to their own children.

When looking at child abuse statistics, youll notice that the number of cases and fatalities simply continues to rise. The cycle needs to stop. Even if those statistics would decrease by one child because someone takes the time to care, an innocent life may be saved. Report suspected child abuse. You owe it to the innocent lives that dont deserve to be taken before they ever are truly given the chance to live.