Periodically I like to publish the latest statistics on child abuse. My primary source has always been a website called Child Help. Their work is invaluable in bringing to the public the very real problem that is both heinous and multi-generational. It impacts not only the survivor and their parents and siblings but the general public as well. Below is the link to their page. Please take a look and tell others about this site.
https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse-statistics/
In particular note the chilling line: Individuals who reported six or more adverse childhood experiences had an average life expectancy two decades shorter than those who reported none. 5
Ischemic heart disease (IHD), Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), liver disease and other health-related quality of life issues are tied to child abuse.
Please check out the ACE Study for further information on this. Their website is: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/index.html
Why do we still have people who change the subject whenever someone begins a dialogue about what happened to them as a child? Why do we think this doesn’t affect us? And worse, why do normal, intelligent and sensitive people still refuse to believe that the information on this page is not bogus. This is our real life. This is our real problem.
Statistics on child abuse for other countries is even higher than in the US. It is more difficult to treat than in the US. In some countries it is not only tolerated, it is part of their culture.
We cannot stand around closing our eyes and changing the subject. Become informed first. It is vital that you know the symptoms of child sexual abuse in particular. Talk to others about it. Drag this ugly subject out in to the light. Don’t let the world turn their backs.
