Don't underestimate the power of You!  You can help change a child's life.  There are nearly a half million children in foster care in the United States (5,000 at any given time in San Diego).  Discover the many ways in which you can help by reviewing this Change a Lifetime menu (childwelfare.gov).

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

Child abuse is often – and mistakenly - associated exclusively with physical abuse. Child abuse can take many forms including: sexual abuse; emotional abuse; neglect; and abandonment.

• Emotional Abuse – ignoring, rejecting, belittling, denial of affection and love, and verbal abuse.
• Sexual Abuse –   inappropriately exposing children to sexual contact, activity or behavior.
• Neglect – failure to provide the child with basic physical, educational, or emotional needs.
• Abandonment – deserting the child and leaving them to fend for themselves.

Whatever form the abuse takes, the impact on the child is significant and long lasting. The effects can range from the inability to develop healthy relationships and coping skills to deviant behavior, drug abuse, depression and suicide.   Child abuse impairs a child's physical and emotional health and development and puts the child at risk for problems that will impact his or her future and ability to become a productive member of society. Consider the following statistics:

• 36.7% of all women in prison and 14.4% of all men in prison in the United States were abused as children.
• Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely to abuse alcohol and 3.8 times more likely to become addicted to drugs.
• One third of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children.

Tips for Parents Feeling Overwhelmed:
Click here to download our parenting brochure.
Take a Deep Breath
Walk Away
Call a Friend or Family Member
Join a Parent Support Group
In Crisis Call the County Hotline at 1-800-344-6000

The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C.A. §5106g), as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum:

Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.

Sources: kidscenter.org, childhelp.org, childwelfare.gov

Your support is critical! Give heart, hope and healing to a hurting child by donating here.