The Bomb in the Brain - The Effects of Child Abuse

This is an important post from Lost Liberty Cafe on the neurological impact of child abuse. This is still a growing problem in this country, and one that is under-estimated. This comes from Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: Statistics and Interventions, Child Welfare Information Gateway, Year Published: 2008:

The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) reported an estimated 1,760 child fatalities in 2007. This translates to a rate of 2.35 children per 100,000 children in the general population. NCANDS defines "child fatality" as the death of a child caused by an injury resulting from abuse or neglect, or where abuse or neglect was a contributing factor.

* * *

Many researchers and practitioners believe child fatalities due to abuse and neglect are still underreported. Studies in Nevada and Colorado have estimated that as many as 50 percent to 60 percent of child deaths resulting from abuse or neglect are not recorded as such (Child Fatality Analysis (Clark County), 2005; Crume, DiGuiseppi, Byers, Sirotnak, & Garrett, 2002).

That is only the fatalities. Child Maltreatment 2007 provides state and local numbers on non-fatal abuse and neglect. For example:

During 2007, an estimated 794,000 children were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Among the children confirmed as victims by CPS agencies in 2007:

• Children in the age group of birth to 1 year had the highest rate of victimization at 21.9 per 1,000 children of the same age group in the national population;
• More than one-half of the child victims were girls (51.5%) and 48.2 percent were boys; and
• Approximately one-half of all victims were White (46.1%), 21.7 percent were African-American, and 20.8 percent were Hispanic.

These numbers are horrible. And these videos reveal just how horrible it is for the kids who are abused.

The Bomb in the Brain

on Jan.20, 2010, under Videos

by Stefan Molyneux

The effects of child abuse run like an outgrowth of tentacles into nearly every aspect of the personality and health of a human being. Though the empirical data and evidence is quite revealing as to the extent of its lasting effects, the effect it has on ourselves is not truly realized until one is humbled by years of battle in the tireless, toil and labor of intervening work required to heal and change for the better.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Stefan Molyneux is the author of several books including Universally Preferable Behavior: A Rational Proof of Secular Ethics, he is also host of the most popular philosophy show on the web, Freedomain Radio, nominated in both the 2007 and 2008 podcast awards.

Tags: children, abuse, trauma, Psychology, Lost Liberty Cafe, effects of child abuse, The Bomb in the Brain, Stefan Molyneux, statistics, neglect