While any type of abuse or neglect is unacceptable, the worst form is when children are the target of that abuse and neglect. What makes it worse? In most cases, the children are totally defenseless. The people who are supposed to be taking care of them decide the kids are no more than a burden or that they really don't want the "hassle" of taking care of the children. In a world filled with the attitude of "take care of number one", children are forced to the sidelines of some people's lives. Before you harm a child in any way for any reason, remember they didn't ask to be brought into this world and they surely didn't ask you to take your anger and frustration out on them. If they're your children, protect and care for them. If you're a teacher or child care provider and you get irritated with children to the point you want to neglect or abuse them, it's time to find another career.
      Signs of abuse include burns, cuts, bruises, welts, and bite marks; unexplained injuries requiring emergency medical treatment; and repeated visits to the emergency room because the child is "accident prone". Children will often claim they don't know how the injury occurred because they don't want their abuser to get in trouble or are afraid the abuse will be worse if they talk. If their story isn't consistent when they tell different people or they explain the injury using words and phrases above their level of education, this indicates the abuser probably created the story and the child can't remember exactly what to say or they remember and use the words and phrases of the adult.
      Signs of neglect include not being bathed, being too thin or expressing constant hunger, and/or a lack of supervision. Overall, neglect is the failure of the adult to provide for the basic needs of the child. More obvious forms of neglect include when parents or child care providers leave young children at home or in the car when they decide to go somewhere and don't want the child with them and leaving the child in the care of a person who isn't capable of caring for the child.
      The statistics for the United States show child abuse and neglect are more common than most people want to admit. There are more than 50,000 reports of child abuse every year and not every case is reported so the actual numbers are probably much higher. Sadly, it's estimated that 1,700 children died from abuse or neglect in 2007 alone. The offenders belong to every section of the population and not restricted to a particular race, religion, or economic status.
      The only way to prevent the deaths and protect children from on-going abuse or neglect is to do something about it. Report any suspicions to the local authorities. It's better to be wrong than to see another child added to the column for statistics on child deaths. Never think it's none of your business and ignore the obvious. Children are defenseless so it's everyone's job to protect them.