Child abuse does not discriminate. It spans all racial, gender, socio-economic and demographic boundaries. While it may be more likely to be reported and thus reflected in greater numbers of cases involving lower income families, it is by no means a problem limited to members of one economic or racial group.

In recent years, public awareness of child abuse has been heightened by highly publicized cases such as the brutal beating death of Lisa Steinberg in New York City by her adoptive father, attorney Joel Steinberg. Yet many cases of child abuse continue to go unreported and many signs of abuse remain undetected.

Child abuse rarely occurs as a single incidence. Abuse usually manifests itself as a pattern of events which can start as early as infancy and as late as adolescence. Often abused children don’t realize that there is anything abnormal or wrong in their family. As they are brought up not knowing anything different, what they experience they assume to be what everyone else experiences (Ackerman and Graham, 1990).

Abuse can produce low self-esteem, aggressive behavior, acting out, suicidal tendencies, running away, wariness of adults, withdrawal, inhibition, and school and social adjustment problems. As symptoms combine, they can develop into codependency. Abused teens learn to cope. Coping mechanisms include caretaking — growing up quickly and taking care of the house, keeping it running smoothly and trying to be "good." They can also withdraw and isolate themselves, trying not to be noticed. Sometimes teens will equate their abuse with love, when the only attention they receive is abuse, some teens will provoke it, searching for the attention they receive as a result (Ackerman and Graham, 1990).

Very often children and teens will not talk about their abuse. They will protect their abuser, making excuses for their injuries. For this reason, it is often hard to uncover abuse. Detection of abuse takes careful observation over a period of time. Just as unreported and undisclosed abuse is unjust, so is the unfounded an inaccurate reporting. A false report is devastating and lasting, the stigma stays long after the report has been cleared. Therefore it is important that careful investigation is done before accusations are made.

Statistics
• 906,000 children were found to be victims of child abuse or neglect in 2003.
• 61 % suffered neglect,
• 19 % were physically abused,
• 10 % were sexually abused,
• 5 % were emotionally or psychologically maltreated,
• 2.3 % were medically neglected.

More Statistics
• 17 % of victims experienced "other" types of maltreatment: "abandonment," "threats of harm to the child," and "congenital drug addiction.“
• Homicide is the leading cause of injury deaths among infants (under one year of age) in the United States. Perpetrators are typically the mother, father or stepfather.
• Each day in the United States, more than 3 children die as a result of child abuse in the home.
• In 2002, an estimated 1,400 children died due to child abuse or neglect.
An abused child may be your neighbor…

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®