The Sad Facts of Life
By Whitney Johnson
Kids are being victimized and forgotten more often than is noticed, driving them to a fear that is inescapable. The question of how many children in the United States are abused each year is questionable at most. Child abuse and neglect case numbers vary from year to year, even day to day. They fluctuate within every city’s unique documenting systems and also due to the cases that aren’t reported. As a result, the numbers usually underrepresent the amount of kids who are abused or neglected.
One of the most reliable information sources is the yearly Child Maltreatment Report by the Children’s Bureau says the American Humane Association. The Bureau bases its data on the information collected by the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) from the CPS agencies throughout the states.
One of the most reliable information sources is the yearly Child Maltreatment Report by the Children’s Bureau says the American Humane Association. The Bureau bases its data on the information collected by the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) from the CPS agencies throughout the states.
In 2005, NCANDS conveyed an estimated 3.3 million child abuse and neglect referrals were received by CPS agencies. Of those reported, 899,000 were confirmed to be children of abuse and neglect according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Both male and female children have an equal chance of becoming a victim of abuse and neglect. In 2005, 47.3 percent of mistreated children were male where as 50.7 percent were female (USDHHS, 2007).
In 2005, one thousand four hundred and sixty children died as a result of abuse and neglect. Statistics show that the highest percentage of perpetrators is usually someone related to the victim. The majority of the kids who suffer fatalities are three years or younger. Not all deaths were caused by abuse, neglect accounted for almost half of the fatalities (USHHDS, 2007). |
An early case of child abuse was that of ten-year-old actress, Judith Barsi. This little girl was a rising star in the acting industry with her mother, Maria Barsi, as her biggest fan, when her life was cut short by her own father, Joe Barsi. Joe and Maria met in Hungary, moved to the United States and married. Later on they had Judith. Joe was a mean drunk due to his terrible childhood in Hungary. He was constantly abusing both his wife, Maria, and his daughter Judith. Several people recall Joe saying he would kill both Maria and Judith one day. The day of July 25, 1988 was the day Judith and Maria’s lives ended. Joe shot Maria in the hall and then continued on to Judith’s room, where she was sound asleep and shot her too. He then doused the bodies in gasoline and set them aflame. Joe then went into the garage and shot himself in the head. Neighbors called and reported the fire to authorities who later discovered the family inside (Noe). This case was one in many that the world remembers.
According to Third National Study of Child Abuse and Neglect, almost three times as many children are mistreated than are reported to CPS; whether the lack in reporting abuse and neglect is caused by fear or the difficulty of reporting such a case is undeterminable. Judith’s Barsi’s story was one that had no intervention or reports.
One of the more recent worldwide known cases of child abuse is that of four year old, Ethan Stacy. This case started with Ethan’s mother, Stephanie Sloop, reporting him missing early one Monday morning in May 2010. She stated that Ethan was prone to sneaking out of the house. Layton Police later became suspicious of Stephanie and her husband, Nathanael Sloop because their stories didn’t quite add up to the facts. After speaking to several neighbors about the whereabouts of Ethan Stacy, Layton Police officers spread the search area to a 25 mile radius, which included Ogden Canyon. They pounded on neighbor’s doors at 4 a.m. and even went as far as looking up local sex offenders; all to no avail. Ethan’s body was found in Ogden Canyon Tuesday evening and his death was determined a case of child abuse. Stephanie and Nathanael Sloop were arrested for his death. Layton Police were later notified that Stephanie and Nathanael had only been married a short time. Ethan was in Utah for a summer visit with his mother and had only arrived ten days prior to this unfortunate event. Ethan’s biological father and his permanent residence were located in Virginia. |
Stephanie and Nathanael Sloop are still undergoing trials to this day and they are both serving time in prison for the murder of Ethan Stacy (Black).
Over the years, the number of children that are abused or neglected varies. In 1999, an estimated 829,000 cases were reported. Then this number spiked to 906,000 cases in 2003. NCANDS states that the addition of countries and cities can impact the yearly statistics of child abuse and neglect.
Over the years, the number of children that are abused or neglected varies. In 1999, an estimated 829,000 cases were reported. Then this number spiked to 906,000 cases in 2003. NCANDS states that the addition of countries and cities can impact the yearly statistics of child abuse and neglect.
Donation centers have been set up all over the globe and all throughout the worldwide web to help stop child abuse and neglect. If you would like to help out, please research donation centers and prevention centers. ChildHelp is one of several worldwide donation centers and hotline for child abuse and neglect cases. They are spread all over the globe and would appreciate everyone’s support. Reports can be completely confidential and even anonymous if the donor wishes to support these children without being put into the spotlight. Volunteer programs have also been established to help kids of abuse and neglect work through their issues and move on with their lives.
As of 2011, about 681,000 children were victims of child abuse and neglect according to the Every Child Matters Education Fund (2009). More than 78 percent of the fatalities were at the hand of a parent. Prevention is the first step towards putting an end to the abuse and neglect of children. Reporting the |
incidents is the only way to help. Without a report, nothing good will come of these many cases. There are still too many children in the world that are being treated unfairly. The worst thing about it is that it’s not their fault. Speak up for abused and neglected children. This is where child abuse cases can begin to come to an end.