Many abusers have a history of having been abused themselves or at least brought up in very strict families. Abusive parents keep to themselves, move from place to place, and usually are young. They pick a mate who is rather passive. The mate usually knows about the abuse, ignores it, and even may participate in it. Usually only one child in the family is abused.
Some children are more vulnerable to abuse than others.
Children under six are considered a high-risk population. Children with handicaps have a higher incidence of abuse than children who do not have any physical or mental handicaps. Adopted children also have a higher incidence of abuse, as do hyperactive and emotionally distrurbed children. A child may even provoke abuse in attempting to get attention. Some children are seen by the parents as stubborn and deliberately annoying.