Statewide, 12.3 of every 1,000 children in Oregon are confirmed to have been abused or neglected. Child abuse is a vicious cycle. Children who experience abuse or neglect are much more likely to become abusive parents when they grow up. Child abuse has long-term impacts. Studies have shown that a high percentage of adults in prison were abused or neglected as children.
Child abuse is costly.
Child abuse often goes unreported. Because of shame, secrecy, lack of training, fear of reprisals, or a variety of other reasons, not all abuse is reported. Perpetrators of child abuse come from all walks of life. People who have abused or neglected a child represent a variety of economic, social, religious, cultural, educational, and racial backgrounds. Often they lack basic parenting knowledge and so have unreasonable expectations of a child's abilities.