The mission of the American Humane Association, as a network of individuals and organizations, is to prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and animals and to assure that their interests and well-being are fully, effectively, and humanely guaranteed by an aware and caring society. Studies show that before the age of 18, one in four girls and one in eight boys are tricked, bribed, or forced into sexual activity by a teenager or adult. Children with disabilities are two to ten times more likely to be assaulted. These children, especially babies, have very weak neck muscles and do not yet have full support for their heavy heads. When they are shaken, their fragile brains move back and forth within their skulls.
Physical abuse is the leading cause of serious head injury in infants.
When a child younger than one year of age has an intra-cranial injury, it should be presumed to have been due to child abuse. Copyright 2000 KinderStart. Inc. All rights reserved.