Annually, more than three million kids are reported as victims of child abuse and almost 1.8 million kids are reported missing, many of whom are abducted from their homes and front yards. These are just the reported cases.

 

According to UNICEF, almost 3,500 children under the age of 15 die from physical abuse and neglect every year in the industrialized world. Child abuse estimates for the United States are that 1,460 children die annually from abuse – or 42 percent of the world total. Recent studies have estimated the impact to American society of child abuse to be over $100 billion annually.

 

There are many ways in which you can prevent child abuse and neglect. The first thing you can do is to learn the signs and symptoms of abuse and report known or suspected child abuse to the local police department. Then, you can organize an event to raise money for programs serving abused children, you can encourage a local restaurant to donate the proceeds from a specific menu item, hour or day to organizations dealing with abused kids.

 

Moreover, you can help a stressed-out parent by offering to baby-sit, make dinner or just lend an understanding ear. And last but not least, you can volunteer some of your time and talents by finding the nearest organization dealing with neglected kids and offer help.