Not only does abuse harm the child today – it also affects tomorrow’s
families. Child abuse and neglect form a dangerous cycle that holds
both children and parents hostage. Child maltreatment often triggers
substance abuse, teen pregnancy, violence, and juvenile crime. Later
in life, this pattern can extend into adult crime and poor parenting
– perpetuating the cycle of abuse.
Even worse, the rate of reported child abuse and neglect is increasing. Recent reports show abuse and neglect are the leading cause of death among children younger than four in the United States and the Oregon Department of Human Services reports that 10,421 Oregon children in 2008 were victims of child abuse or neglect and infants are the largest single age group of victims.
If we do not invest in prevention, the children and our community
will continue to pay the price. Comprehensive child abuse prevention
services to one family at the CRN cost approximately $9,481 for one
year. By comparison, the State of Oregon pays $23,692 a year to place
a child in foster care. The National Institute of Justice affirms
that abused children are more likely to become criminals. “General
delinquency research shows that childhood abuse (physical and sexual)
is often associated with delinquency and that the early onset of maltreatment
may increase the variety, seriousness, and duration of problems. It
is also widely suggested that violence begets violence—that
today's abused children become tomorrow's violent offenders.”
US Department of Justice Update In addition, the Department of Oregon Corrections reports that the annual cost to house an inmate is $28,389. |