Overview
Hundreds of thousands of children are physically abused each year. Abuse can occur inside or outside of the home. Thousands of children die each year from abuse. For children who do survive, the emotional trauma remains long after the external bruises and trauma have healed:
- Child abuse victims are three times more likely than the general population to be depressed as they get older
- The suicide rate is six to 12 times higher for abuse victims
- Child abuse is a frequent cause of post-traumatic stress disorder
- Up to 70 percent of participants in substance abuse treatment programs were abused as children
- Abuse is the single biggest risk factor for teens contracting HIV
- Many abused children will commit acts of child abuse and domestic violence as they get older
The legal definition of child abuse varies from state to state. Physical abuse includes any injury to or death of a child resulting from the intentional act by the child's caretaker.
For more information about the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children, call 513-636-SAFE. If you suspect a child within the Greater Cincinnati area is being abused, please contact the child's physician or call 513-241-KIDS. Physicians are required by state laws to report suspected physical abuse or neglect to the legally mandated agency in their community.
