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We have to ask. Where is the outcry, where are the "child saviors", why are politicians and the media not telling you about child neglect and child fatality statistics? Is it because it is easier to target sexual offenders? Is it because we are in denial about the real problem in America concerning child abuse? What is the truth and facts concerning child neglect in America? American Humane, an independent organization, dedicated to the protection of America's children, has been answering these questions for 130 years. According to their own web site: "The question of how many children are abused and neglected each year in the United States is seemingly simple, but it does not have an easy answer. Because several national and state agencies collect and analyze different data using different methods, the statistics vary. In addition, not every suspicion or situation of abuse or neglect is reported to child protection (CPS) agencies. As a result, the number of reports likely under represents the number of children who actually suffer from child abuse or neglect."
What is MALTREATMENT? Maltreatment takes many forms, many children are subjected to multiple abuse. The breakdown for 2001 by American Humane is as follows:
Notice, sexual abuse, regardless of what the media and politicians try to tell us, is not the number one abuse type. Additionally, according to ALL reports, there has been a steady decline of all types of reported abuse since 1995. The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, has been tracking these statistics. Lets make sure we are clear on the facts regarding child fatalities. These statistics, vividly show the extent of the problem. They categorically refute the claim by the media and politicians that child sexual abuse is the number one problem facing our children. Even if we combine "Multiple Mistreatment Types" and "Sexual Abuse", we arrive at 31%. This is still less than "Neglect" alone and the combined "Neglect" and "Physical Abuse" categories, which are the most common types of abuse. (See chart#2 below.) Here are some of the HHS/ACF charts from 2004, the latest reporting year:
Child Fatality Rates per 100,000 Children, 2000-2004
Chart #1
Maltreatment Types of Fatalities, 2004
Chart #2
Types of Abuse by Type and Age of Victim, 2004
Chart #3
Age of Perpetrators, 2004
Chart #4
Age and Sex of Abuse Victim, 2004
Chart #5-a
Age and Sex of Abuse Fatalities, 2004
Chart #5-b
Perpetrators Relationship to Victim, 2004
Chart #6-a
Perpetrators Relationship to Victim by Abuse Type, 2004
Chart #6-b Chart Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, 2004 Child Maltreatment Report
Wait a minute... what is going on here? First, it is important to note, many so called experts, such as Sid Johnson, president of the nonprofit Prevent Child Abuse America, report 500,000 cases of child sexual abuse each year. However, the U.S. government says there were 74,348 cases reported (see chart #3 above) in 2004. Even if we add in the 117,645 cases that are classified as "Unknown", that totals 191,993 cases. That means we still are far short (308,007 cases) of a half a million children being sexually abused. Even if we factor in a 100% increase to the reported cases and still add in the unknown cases, we come up with 266,341 cases. Still far short of the 500,000 reported by the "experts". Other experts, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have used the 500,000 figure as well. They claim to have recovered thousands of children. This is not only false, it is a blatant lie. To date, they have not located one child. The U.S. Dept. of Justice released in 1990 a study showing there are around 200 missing children each year. Most are runaways or taken in custody disputes. A recent Washington State report on murdered children shows around 100 children are abducted by strangers each year. 90% of them are returned within 72 hours. Most child murders are at the hand of a parent or guardian. Furthermore, they (NCMEC) claim that over 90% of their funds (Federal Grant Money and donations) go towards the recovery of missing children. Another blatant lie, in fact, their own reports show that in 2005, out of the $32 million they received in federal funds, $23 million went to salaries, pensions and employee benefits. Our research can only conclude that the organizations name should be The Narcissistic Celebrity for Misinformation and Exploited Contributions. Chart 6a and 6b validate all known empirical evidence, which say, a child is in greater danger from a family member, relative, acquaintance, or someone trusted by the parents and victim. Statistics show that there is a greater chance of a child being killed or injured by a family friend, or drunk driver, than being sexually abused by the "boogie man" waiting in the bushes at schools and bus stops. Let's consider these facts about the UNITED STATES and ask why are we fixated on the myth of stranger danger: In 2004, EIGHT (that is right 8) children died as a result of sexual abuse, 90% were at the hands of parents, caregivers, or someone the child knew. Now let's compare this to other types of child abuse and deaths.
So what in the world is going on? As stated on other pages here, media reports about child sexual abuse are easy vehicles for selling copy or gaining ratings. Politicians, pandering fear for votes, make stranger danger and sex abuse easy targets for political gain. At the end of the day, nothing, and we mean NOTHING government can do will protect your children. ONLY YOU can make a difference, and truly protect your children.
8 Common Sense Rules for Parents: How YOU can make your child SAFE! 1. Provide positive information that is based on truth, not myths. This instills the value of honesty and openness and shows you trust your children to know the facts. Read the STATISTICS page on this web site. 2. Teach appropriate boundaries. Tell them under no circumstances is ANYONE, family member, friend, trusted authority figure, etc. allowed to touch them inappropriately or talk to them in an inappropriate manner. Teach them to say the following: "I know what you are trying to do is wrong, and if you continue, I WILL tell my parents, the police or someone who will listen and you will go to jail." 3. Tell them that they should not have any secrets from you and that you will never blame them for something an adult does to them. Also, teach them to respect themselves and others. Boys should respect girls and girls should respect boys. When children respect themselves, it is easy for them to respect others. 4. Have them walk in groups of three or more to school, or the playground, or to friend’s house. Identify SAFE places for them and tell them to scream and run to the nearest SAFE place, when approached by a stranger. 5. If a sex offender moves in to the neighborhood. Find out what the charge was, most times, you will find out it was not an offense against a child. Go and talk to the person. Remember, some people are falsely accused and are pressured into taking a plea bargain. If they admit wrongdoing, listen for indicators they have been in treatment and have complied with all the terms of the court. Likewise, listen for indicators they are in denial, or are minimizing or rationalizing; these are typically red flags of more serious problems. If they live alone, find out what their support mechanism is. Point them to our SO-Solutions Help page. 6. If necessary, tell you children to walk on the other side of the street, or find another route to their friends house, tell them to inform you or another parent if the offender approaches them. Don't instill fear in your children, this will NOT make them safe, it will only add to childhood insecurities. Use common sense and your children will use common sense as well. 7. Keep your child's computer in a common area of the house, NOT in their bedroom. While we recommend computer monitoring programs to help, don't rely on them exclusively, most children are computer savvy enough to defeat these programs. Instead, set ground rules and reasonable expectations for Internet usage and monitor your child's computer usage. Make sure children NEVER give out, or post personal information. Do NOT allow your child's friends to access your computer without your knowledge and make sure they are aware of your rules. Remember, ONLY YOU, AS A PARENT, can insure your child's safety online. 8. Use what you have learned here to educate family members, and other parents; fear mongering will not protect anyone's child and will only lead them to mistrust people. For more information, visit the Jacob Wetterling Foundation, or by calling 800-325-HOPE.
Page Resources: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families
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Copyright © 2006 SOSNet Legal Notice: The information on this web site based on hundreds of hours of research, however is NOT intended to be used as legal advice. If you are being investigated, or accused of crime against a child, seek the help of a licensed attorney, who specializes in child abuse cases, from your State Bar Association today. General practice attorneys do not have the skills to represent you in these types of cases and by delaying contacting a competent attorney; you will be placing yourself and your family in jeopardy.
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