Posted By: ivillagecares on
"The solution to adult problems tomorrow depends on large measure upon how our children grow up today."
Those are the words of the famed cultural anthropologist, Margaret Mead and they are as true today as when she first said them decades ago. Ironically often - too often -- it is adults who pose the greatest threat to children in the form of child abuse.
Child abuse is a trauma that has longstanding after affects not just on the victim but on the society as a whole. The tragedy of the individual is painful enough, but when one looks at the ripple effect of the consequences of child abuse, it becomes all of our jobs to pay closer attention.
According to the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse & Neglect Information, abused children are:
25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy
3 times less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for sexually transmitted diseases.
The United States Department of Justice reports even more troubling data in that:
14.4% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children 36.7% of all women in prison were abused as children Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime.In New York City, where I live, child abuse occurs with a depressing amount of frequency. One in three children experiences some type of abuse before they reach their 18th birthday. Think back to your youth and your teen years. Recall the friends and fun times you may have had. Now imagine that ripped from your life, ripped from your memory having it replaced by thoughts of fear and pain.
That is what it is like for a child who is a victim of abuse.
And what makes it worse -- if such an act could be made worse -- is that more often than not the victim knows and trusts the perpetrator.
Sadly, many cases go unreported or untreated. This leads to a vicious cycle as 1/3 of all abused or neglected children will later abuse their own children, according to the organization ChildHelp.
I am the founder of, the New York Center for Children, which is helping to stop the cycle. The Center is 12 years old, but in those dozen years we have created a child-friendly free clinic, to help victims of child abuse. Each child receives a thorough physical examination from a medical professional and clinically trained social workers, and psychologists talk to children in a sensitive manner to gather the facts, so they can design a course of therapy.
The Center works in coordination with the Police Department, the District Attorney's Office and the Administration for Children's Services, to increase the effectiveness of any investigation and reduce any potential trauma to the child.
Even with all these wonderful resources, the children can use your help. The Center is always in need of volunteers who care about and enjoy children. If time is not something you have in long supply, and would prefer to make a donation, they are gladly accepted. You can do both online.
More importantly if you know of someone who is being abused or if your child has been abused and you are seeking help for you and your child or your family, visit the New York Center for Children online.
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