South Bend, IN - Fifty-seven children died from child abuse in 2004 in Indiana. On Thursday, folks with Prevent Child Abuse gave Michiana a visual reminder of how serious this issue is.
“I can relate to some people's stories cause I went through it,” said Aricha Baker.
Aricha has been through it all when it comes to child abuse.“I was hit, verbally abused,” said Baker. 
Why you should know about child abuse…
• It’s a sad reality of life…
• It’s a crime which needs reporting…
• To understand the effects child abuse has on the abused…
• To prevent this crime from happening to you, in your home and to others…
• To know how to get help for anyone who is abused..
What’s Your Score?
1. Three children die as a result of child abuse in the home in the United States each
a) Year
b) Day
c) Week
d) Month
2. How many people report child abuse when faced with an actual situation?
a) 3/4
b) 1/2
c) 1/3
3. What is the single, leading cause of death for children ages four and younger?
a) Drowning
b) Motor vehicle accidents
c) Child abuse and neglect
d) Choking on food
e) Residential fires
f) Suffocation
g) Falls
4. On average, child abuse is reported somewhere in the United States every
a) 10 seconds
b) 20 minutes
c) Hour
5. Strangers pose the greatest risk of sexual abuse to children.
a) True
b) False
6. Child molesters get their sexual gratification only from children.
a) True
b) False
7. The average age that child molesters first attack a child is when they (the attackers) are
a) In their early 20s
b) Middle-aged
c) In their teens
8. Which of the following actions can help stop child abuse and neglect?
a) Helping a stressed-out parent by baby-sitting, making a meal, or lending an understanding ear.
b) Learning the signs and symptoms of child abuse so you can recognize them when you see the “red flags.”
c) Reporting known or suspected child abuse to the police or local child protective services agency.
d) All of the above.
9. Child abuse and neglect only happens mostly to babies and small children.
a) True: __
b) False: __
Answers:
1. b) Day
2. c) 1/3
3. c) Child abuse and neglect
4. a) 10 seconds. Based on 2.8 million reports per year.
5. b) False. Most children are abused by people they know
6. b) False. Many child molesters also have adult sexual relationships.
7. c) In their teens—and often as young as age 12.
8. d) All of the above.
9. False. About two thirds of all cases of child abuse involve children between the ages of five and eighteen.
History of Child Abuse legislation:
In 1874, the abuse of a child by her parents was brought to the attention of Henry Bergh, the founder and president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (S.P.C.A.). Without any statutes pertaining to child abuse, Mr. Bergh could only acquire a lawyer an pursue the case on the grounds that "children ought to be deemed just as worthy of protection from abuse as dogs and cats" (Weller, P. 57). The case, named after the abused child, became known as the "Little Mary Ellen Case" and went to court on April 10, 1874, providing for the establishment of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (S.P.C.C.) in 1875. A year later, the S.P.C.A. and the S.P.C.C. merged, forming the American Humane Association (A.H.A.) which has pioneered standards for the protection of children and animals since its formation.
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974 has further served the needs of abused children throughout the U.S. in many ways including: providing financial assistance to child abuse prevention and treatment programs; establishing a National Center on Child Abuse; and providing resources for research to prevent child abuse.
• If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, the Dept. of Child and Family Services at (800) 252-2873 in Illinois or the Child Protective Services in your state.
• Each State has jurisdiction over these matters, and has specific laws and procedures for reporting and investigating.
• In some States, all citizens are mandated reporters by State law and must report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect.
• Childhelp® USA National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD®