Case of missing toddler highlights effects of child abuse

After an international search, the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Bella Bond was solved.  2-year-old Bella Bond who was initially identified as “Baby Doe,” was found dead in June, 2015, on the shoreline of Boston Harbor.  Her death highlights the reality of child abuse and neglect.

In September 2013, the National Academy of Sciences reported the results of the first major study of child abuse and neglect in 20 years.  The Academy’s report suggests that the abuse suffered by children can reshape the child’s brain and the effects can last a lifetime. 

“Child abuse and neglect is a serious public health problem which requires immediate, urgent attention.  The consequences can last into adulthood with significant costs to the individual, to families, and to society,” said Anne Peterson, a professor at the Center for Human Growth and Development at the University of Michigan.  On average in the United States, child protective services receive 3 million referrals for child abuse and neglect involving approximately 6 million children.  Furthermore, about 80% of the children involved in reported abuse allegations are not removed from the home.

The report cited 3 risk factors that increased the likelihood of child abuse: parental depression, parental substance abuse, and whether the parents had been abused or neglected as children.
Additional findings from the National Academy of Sciences report include:
* Victims are equally likely to be male or female.
* Most are younger than 5.
* Approximately 80% of the abusers are parents (the majority are biological parents).
* More than ½ of the abusers are female.
Sources:
“Effects of child abuse can carry over, study finds: Mental torment has risen over past two decades.” Washington Post. Brigid Schulte. September 13, 2013.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/22/us/baby-doe-bella-bond-massachusetts-children-services-questions/index.html

Comments

  1. SMSChicaOctober 8, 2015 at 1:29 PM

    This is so sad...though I'm glad her body is finally laid to rest :(

    ReplyDelete

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