Who Abuses Children?
At least 90% of child abuse is committed by someone the child knows and trusts. In fact, the most dangerous place for many children is their own home; over 50% of abuse cases occur in the child’s home. Outside the home, we see cases where children have been abused by neighbors, relatives and friends, teachers, ministers, coaches… the list is endless. Contrary to popular belief, more children are hurt by someone they know rather than a stranger. Although stranger abuse is the smallest category, children must also be educated on how to reduce their risk of stranger abduction. At our center, we provide education for parents on how to protect their children from threats both near and far from home and healing for those who have already been victimized. Child abusers may be male or female, young or old, of any race, rich or poor, from the city or from the suburbs. Abusers come from every kind of neighborhood and every kind of community.
