Child Abuse in America

Each day I receive a report from Google News on various news accounts of stories related to child abuse.* It is shocking how many children are abused each day. There are over 50,000 children abused in Texas each year. Most people are unaware of how many children die each day because of child abuse. Over 1500 children die each year of abuse.

There are many correlations to child abuse. Poverty related issues, drug and alcohol abuse, and adults who were abused as children abusing children are some of the most common identified reasons. Awareness is often stated as a goal to prevent child abuse. I do not think that a pamphlet is going to prevent a drunk boyfriend from hitting his girlfriend's children.

It should be illegal to hit a child. There are already laws in most states that make it illegal to hit foster children. This may be understandable to many because many foster children come from abusive backgrounds. Therefore, an abused child has a very difficult time distinguishing discipline from abuse.

A law that would make it illegal to hit a child would eliminate the confusion concerning the difference between spanking and beating. If someone was hitting a child, it would be clear that the police should be called.

What options are there for parents if they couldn't use corporal punishment on their children? Call Jo Frost, Super Nanny!



*Man Accused of Child Abuse
KLBK CBS 13 - Lubbock,TX,USA
Anthony Nicholas Trevino, 23, was arrested Wednesday on charges of injury to a child. Police say Trevino broke the child`s leg and injured his ribs and spine. ...

Las Cruces Man Arrested Charged With Child Abuse
KFOXtv.com - El Paso,TX,USA
Las Cruces police arrested a man on Wednesday on charges of child abuse. Police arrested Ernesto Ordunez, 27, of Las Cruces and ...

Mother of 3 ordered to trial in child abuse case
San Diego Union Tribune - United States
... the testimony from the girls, ages 14 and 6, and from a sheriff's deputy, Judge Joan Weber ordered Latasha Brown to stand trial July 18 on child abuse charges. ...

Cox wants child abuse investigations in domestic violence cases
MLive.com - MI,USA
By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN. LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Attorney General Mike Cox says more child abuse could be stopped if state caseworkers were required to ...

Cox wants child abuse investigations in domestic violence cases
MLive.com - MI,USA
By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN. LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Attorney General Mike Cox says more child abuse could be stopped if state caseworkers were required to ...

Speakers available for child abuse month
Daily Press - Newport News,VA,USA
Virginia's largest domestic violence agency is offering speakers and help in organizing events in April for child abuse prevention month. ...

Pathologist says abuse killed child
Jackson Hole Star-Tribune - Casper,WY,USA
... Cina, who said he has performed some 2,500 autopsies, including between 50 and 100 in child abuse cases, said Marcela's case was the "worst repetitive abuse ...

Child dies from abuse Foster mother charged
Gallup Independent - Gallup,NM,USA
... Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said Cleo Juan was arrested on a more serious charge of child abuse resulting in death at ...

2 Lansing residents charged with child abuse, murder
MSU State News - East Lansing,MI,USA
... Dunnings III said. Cynthia Daniel, 30, and Samuel Courtland, 31, are in jail with no bond on counts of child abuse and open murder. ...

Attorney in Child Abuse Case Says Surgery Destroyed Evidence
KSL-TV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
(KSL News) An attorney in a child abuse case say doctors are destroying the evidence. Those doctors are performing reconstructive hand surgery on a toddler. ...