Nearly 37 percent report insulting or swearing at their child and two percent report having kicked, bit or punched their child. In 1998, three million children were reported to child protective service agencies as alleged victims of child abuse or neglect. Approximately one million of these reports were confirmed. In spite of ongoing efforts, many children are still being abused on a daily basis. Aside from the immediate damage abuse and neglect causes, many of those who initially survive abuse suffer later in life.
Child abuse can significantly alter a childs growth and development.
The documented emotional and physical damage suffered by abused and neglected children include low self-esteem, physical disabilities, and an inability to form healthy attachments to other people. Abused and neglected children can also experience developmental delays, memory lapses, anxiety and an inability to control violent outbursts. The physical and emotional abuse of children also yields harmful consequences for society. A growing body of evidence links child abuse and neglect with drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, youth violence and chronic health problems. Studies show that abused or neglected children are 59 percent more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, and 29 percent more likely to commit a violent crime than a child who was not abused or neglected.