Child Abuse in America is Real
Children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect. While 3 million reports of child abuse are made each year in the United States, experts estimate the actual number may be 3 times greater than reported.
-
4 children die every day as a result of child abuse
-
75% of those are under the age of 4
-
A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds
-
Of the reported rapes of children under 12, 90% knew their perpetrator
-
Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely to abuse alcohol and 3.8 times more likely to be addicted to drugs
-
1/3 of abused and neglected children will later do the same to their children
Child Abuse in Missouri
In the State of Missouri in the year 2004...
- There were 107,254 total referrals of child abuse and neglect. Of those, 54,216 reports were referred for investigation
- 9,616 children were substantiated or indicated as abused or neglected - a rate of 6.9 per 1,000 children
- Of these, 50.5% were neglected, 28.8% were physically abused, and 27.2% were sexually abused
- 48 children died as a result of abuse or neglect
If you need information about and/or connection to resources in your own community, here are 24-hour toll-free hotlines you can call:
National Child Abuse Hotline Rape Abuse & Incest National Network
1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4ACHILD) 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)
National Domestic Violence/Abuse Hotline
1-800-799 7233 (SAFE)
For Help in Springfield, Missouri
The Child Advocacy Center Family Services of Greene County
(417) 831- 2327 (800) 392-3738
Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Center
(417) 864-7233
SEE THE VIDEOS BELOW
