We all must do what we can to make sure that no child is hurting. Each year, an average of three children a day are fatal victims of maltreatment. The vast majority of these children are under the age of one. Child abuse stunts a child's normal growth and development. The emotional and physical damage children suffer from abuse and neglect is extensive.
Child abuse is costly for many social institutions.
Remediating the immediate consequences of serious physical abuse alone costs child welfare agencies, hospitals, and tax payers. Child abuse costs continue to multiply over time. Children killed as a result of abuse or neglect never have the opportunity to contribute to society. Child abuse victims often repeat the violent acts that they experienced on their own children. Child abuse victims are six times more likely to become abusive parents than non-abused children.