Facts on cild abuse.

1. Child abuse has gone up 20% in the last 10 years.
2. One in three girls and one in five boys are sexually abused by an adult at some time during childhood.
3. There are 3 or more ways to be abused.
4. 84 percent of prison inmates were abused as children.
5. Families with four or more children have higher rates of abuse and neglect, especially if their living conditions are crowded or they live in isolated areas.
6. More than 80 percent of abusers are a parent or someone close to a child. Child abuse is far more likely to occur in the child's home than in a day care center.
7. One in thirteen kids with a parent on drugs is physically abused regularly.
8. One out of ten babies born today are born to mothers who are abusing drugs.
9. Drinking and smoking heavily during pregnancy also endangers the health of unborn children.

How can you tell when a child is being abused?

• Emotional A child who is apathetic (just doesn't care). A child who suffers from depression.
• Neglect Any of the signs above. A child who is hungry most of the time. A child who is continually dirty or wearing the same soiled clothes. A child who shows up early or stays late at school.
• Physical Bruises or welts shaped like an object (belt buckle or electric cord). Bruises in unusual places (back, eyes, mouth, buttocks, genital areas, thighs, calves). Layers of different colored bruises in the same general area. Small round burns from cigarettes. Rope burns on ankles, wrists, or torso. Adult sized bite marks.
• Sexual Withdrawal or anti-social attitude. Refusal to undress for physical education or sports. Fear of intimate contact (hugging or sports) Torn, stained, or bloodied clothing.

10 things that you can do instead of hurting a child.

1. Take a deep breath. Take a few more. Remember, you are the adult.
2. Close your eyes and imagine you are hearing what your child is about to hear, or receiving the same punishment.
3. Press your lips together and count to 20.
4. Put the child in a "time-out" chair for a number of minutes. The rule is one minute for each year of age.
5. Put yourself in a "time-out" chair. Are you really angry at the child or is it something else.
6. Call a friend to talk about it. If you need to, dial 1-800-4-A-CHILD (National Child Abuse Hotline).
7. If someone can watch the children, go out for a walk.
8. Take a hot bath or splash cold water on your face.
9. Turn on some music. Sing along if you want.
10. Pick up a pencil and write down a list of helpful words. Save the list.