Facts About Child Abuse
- Child abuse costs the taxpayers of California $95 billion a year. The cost of prevention is a fraction of that amount
- In Contra Costa County during 2006 there were 9,516 reports of suspected child abuse/neglect
- National statistics show that one in four girls and one in eight boys will be maltreated before the age of 18
- Child abuse /neglect affect children of all ages, races, and incomes
- Children under the age of two are at the greatest risk of abuse
- Child abuse is the most common cause of brain injury in children under one year of age
- Children with disabilities are three to seven times more likely to suffer from child maltreatment than children without disabilities
- Parents abusing drugs or alcohol are at a higher risk of neglecting/abusing their children
- Circumstances that place parents under substantial stress is likely to increase the risk of child abuse i.e., mental and physical illness, economic stress, drug abuse, isolation
- Domestic violence greatly impacts children in the home.
- Children living in domestic violence situations are at risk of being physically abused them selves
- Neglected or sexually abused children may not show any physical signs of harm
- Adults who were abused as children are at risk of suffering from heart disease, cancer, lung and liver disease
- Reporting child abuse does not automatically mean the child will be removed from the home
- Programs offering help can positively impact a family at risk and can prevent child abuse
- Supporting a stressed parent or caregiver helps both the parent and the child
- Child Abuse is 100% preventable. Please call and ask us how you can help.