If we should love our neighbours as ourselves - what are the implications? See below...

Many people grew up in families and environments where there was no love and as adults they have never learned how to love themselves.

What are some of the ways we could help to break the generational cycles of abuse and create a more loving society?

• 4.1 million child maltreatment referral reports received.
  
• Child abuse reports involved 7.4 million children.
  
• 3.5 million children received prevention & post-response services.
  
• 143,866 children received foster care services.
  
• 74.8% of victims are neglected.
  
• 18.2% of victims are physically abused.
  
• 8.5% of victims are sexually abused.
  
• 6.9% of victims are psychologically maltreated.
  
• Highest rate of child abuse in children under age one (24.8% per 1,000).¹
• Over one-quarter (28.5%) of victims are younger than 3 years.¹
• Annual estimate: 1,750 children died from abuse and neglect in 2016.^1,
• Almost five children die every day from child abuse.^1,2
• 78.0% of child fatalities involve at least one parent.¹
• 70.0% of child fatalities are under the age of 3.¹
• 74.6% of the child abuse victims die from neglect.¹
• 44.2% of the child abuse victims die from physical abuse.¹
• 49.4% of children who die from child abuse are under one year.¹
• Boys had a higher child fatality rate than girls(2.87 boys & 2.11 girls per 100,000)¹
• Almost 60,000 children are sexually abused.¹
• More than 90% of juvenile sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator.⁶
• Estimated that between 50-60% of maltreatment fatalities are not recorded on death certificates.⁵
• Child abuse crosses all socioeconomic and educational levels, religions, ethnic and cultural groups.¹

Who abused and neglected children? 

• 83.4% (More than four-fifths) of perpetrators were between the ages of 18 and 44 years.¹
• 53.7% (More than one-half) of perpetrators were women, 45.3 % of perpetrators were men, and 1.0 % were of unknown sex.¹

Consequences and Risk Factors:

• Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.⁶
• Abused teens are more likely to engage in sexual risk taking behaviors, putting them at greater risk for STDs.⁶
• About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.⁷
• In at least one study, about 80% of 21 year olds that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.¹³
• The financial cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States is estimated at $585 billion.

  Effects of Parental Drug & Alcohol Abuse

  Drug/alcohol abuse by parents and caregivers has an effect on children, often resulting in neglect of the children and threatened abuse.

  Drug abuse is non-discriminate, affecting all socioeconomic groups and people from all walks of life. Tolerance and dependency on drugs can develop quickly, without the user even realizing that addiction is taking hold. The pattern of abuse and addiction can be extremely difficult to stop.

  • Alcohol abuse (parent/caregiver)—the compulsive use of alcohol that is not of a temporary nature.
    
  • Drug abuse (parent/caregiver)—the compulsive use of drugs that is not of a temporary nature.
    
  • Domestic violence (parent/caregiver)–abusive, violent, coercive, forceful, or threatening act or word inflicted by one member of a family or household on another.