The Terrible Truth About Abuse

Despite the efforts of our society, the numbers of abused children continues to grow. I have gathered statistics, over the years, that proves this. I hope to share these numbers with you. The statistics of San Bernardino, California, closely mirrors the statistics of the State of California, and of course of the United States.

Comparing statistics from a credible article in 8-2-88 with another such article in 2003, we will get a perspective of abuse that covers 14 years. In the first article we learned that, "Reports of child abuse nationally rose 41 percent between 1988 and 1997, according to the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse." That's a big jump!

The article from 1-22-03 quoted statistics from the Children's Network of San Bernardino County's annual report. The report said, "The number of kids booked into Juvenile Hall increased 67 percent from 1997 to 2001." If we combine the statistics from 1988 to 1997 with the statistics from 1997 to 2001 we're looking at an increase of 108 percent. These are huge numbers!

In the fight against abuse, we're not getting it done.

Here's what some of the major players in the campaign against abuse have to say.
A direct quote from an article dated 12-22-02 stated, "'This problem goes beyond the church and what the churches are able to do…It's a mission for the whole community to embrace.'" This isn't just one church we're talking about-this is a coalition that has grown to hundreds strong!

On 12-22-02 The Chief of Police in San Bernardino said, "…It's not just a police role. It's a parenting role. It's a community role. It's a society role…"

Eliminating abuse is beyond the combined abilities of the social workers, the police, and the clergy. They are all very clear: it will take all of society to deal with abuse.

We're not getting the job done, and so the numbers of victims continues to grow.

Come and read an innovative approach that just might be able to get the attention of society, reverse the trend of growing abuse, and get the job done.

After 27 years experience working for the California Department of Mental Health, as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician, I have learned more about abuse than most people. I'd like to share some of what I've learned with you.

Many of the things I've learned about abuse should be obvious to us all. For instance, the majority of the patients that I worked with at Patton State Hospital had childhood abuse in their history. The bulk of inmates in jails and prisons have been abused as well. Worse still, experts say that what we've seen is just the tip of the iceberg.

Another of the points brought out in newspapers is that abuse is expensive. We all pay taxes and share in the expense of our prisons, mental hospitals, and other institutions that work with the dysfunctional members of our society. Few know how expensive abuse really is.

I will show you, good reader, that abuse is one of mankind's greatest enemies. It has cost the human race not just in our lifetimes, but since the dawn of history.

Despite numerous articles over the years, the truth about child abuse is that it is so horrible that it boggles the mind. You see, few really understand the depths of agony that abused children suffer. It is hard to comprehend a pain so terrible it turns a person into a monster programmed to hurt others until the end of their miserable lives.

On the other hand, despite all of our efforts, the numbers of abused are growing at an alarming rate.

We aren't doing enough to combat horribly negative influence on our society.

Our professionals have provided excellent strategies for dealing with the growing cycle of abuse. There are some very comprehensive programs out there that statistics, hard numbers, prove are effective. There is hope yet.