Child abuse is a serious issue in Maine. If this is happening to someone you know, it should be reported so that the abuser can be stopped.

Did you know that children with disabilities are more likely to be abused than kids without? Well, they are. Jim Hopper, who has studied child abuse, found out that is true. Also the people at the “What You Should Know” Web site took surveys on high school boys and it shows that one in eight high school boys has been physically and/or sexually abused. They also say that children in the United States are more likely to be abused in their own homes rather than on the streets. Child abuse can be caused by physical, emotional, verbal, sexual abuse or neglect and serious abuse can result in death. Child abuse can also be caused by parents being abused as kids, drug or alcohol problems and lack of parental knowledge.

Child abuse is a serious crime that must be stopped. There are lots of parenting classes for abusers. Mainely Parents has many programs for parents to get help. Advocates for Children also offers parenting classes. I would like to have kids and adults made more aware of this issue so that the children and parents can get help.

Amber Pugh