#PROTECTKIDS
A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE VICTIMIZATION OF CHILDREN WITHIN THE U.S.
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By informing the public of the statistical effects of ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, we connect the societal implications and long-term effects of child maltreatment. Then we provide practical ways for individuals and groups to mobilize in three different ways:
Share the Cause, Serve the Community, & Support the Mission.
"Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future.
Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation."
~Nelson Mandela
RAISING AWARENESS OF CHILD MALTREATMENT SO WE CAN
protect kids
 8,000,000 REPORTS |  678,000 VICTIMS |  78% STAY |
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 1,800 CHILDREN DIE |  80% AGE 4 & UNDER |  HOW? |
CLICK ON IMAGES ABOVE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
When we look at the STATISTICAL CONNECTIONS of child maltreatment with top community issues like substance abuse, crime, human trafficking, violence, and mental health, we see the big picture problem. This perspective allows us to view the systemic social issues and understand the long-term implications that stem from the familial cycles of abuse & neglect that perpetuate the dysfunction and destruction.
CLICK ON IMAGES ABOVE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
 SUBSTANCE ABUSE2/3 OF ALL ADDICTS EXPERIENCED CHILDHOOD ABUSE AND/OR NEGLECT. CHILDREN WHO ARE RAISED WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS, ARE X3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE ABUSED AND MORE THAN X4 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE NEGLECTED THAN OTHER CHILDREN. 78% PERCENT OF NEW CHILD MALTREATMENT CASES ARE DUE TO NEGLECT, WHICH MOST OFTEN IS A RESULT OF PARENTAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE. |  SEXUAL ABUSE1 IN 3 GIRLS AND 1 IN 5 BOYS ARE OFFICIALLY REPORTED AS VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE BEFORE 18, AND 20% BEFORE THE AGE OF 8. OVER 60% OF SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS HAVE NEVER TOLD ANYONE. A HOME WITH A HISTORY OF CHILDHOOD NEGLECT OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MAKE CHILDREN X10 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OVER THEIR PIERS. 1 IN 3 TEENS ON THE STREET WILL BE LURED INTO PROSTITUTION WITHIN 48 HOURS OF LEAVING HOME. |  CRIMECHILD MALTREATMENT ROUGHLY DOUBLES THE PROBABILITY THAT AN INDIVIDUAL ENGAGES IN MANY TYPES OF CRIME. 68% OF THE INCARCERATED ADULT MALE FELONS REPORTED SOME FORM OF EARLY CHILDHOOD VICTIMIZATION BEFORE AGE 12, EITHER PHYSICAL ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE, OR NEGLECT. THE MOST COMMON REPORTED VICTIMIZATION WAS PHYSICAL ABUSE. YOUTH PLACED IN GROUP HOMES ARE 2.5X MORE LIKELY TO BE INCARCERATED THAN CHILDREN PLACE WITH FAMILIES. 90% OF FOSTER YOUTH WITH 5+ FOSTER HOMES WILL ENTER THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. |
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 HUMAN TRAFFICKING14% OF THE REPORTED MISSING CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TRAFFICKED, 88% OF THEM ARE MISSING FROM FOSTER CARE, THEY ARE WITHOUT FAMILIES. 50% OF TRAFFICKING VICTIMS ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18. THE YOUNGEST OF VICTIMS ARE INFANTS. 60% OF ALL HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS RESCUED IN THE US HAVE A HISTORY IN FOSTER CARE. |  MENTAL HEALTH80% OF YOUNG ADULTS THAT REPORTED BEING ABUSED AS A CHILD, MEET THE CRITERIA FOR A LEAST ONE MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS. ABUSED CHILDREN ARE X2 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM PTSD THAN U.S. WAR VETERANS, WHICH IS EVIDENCED ON BRAIN SCANS. THE YOUNGER THE CHILD INCURED SEVERE MALTREATMENT, THE MORE DEVASTATING THE EFFECTS TO THEIR BRAIN AND THEIR EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. EMOTIONAL ABUSE CAN BE A FORM OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, CAUSING SIMILAR IMPACTS ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AS PHYSICAL ABUSE. |  VIOLENCEGIRLS WHO EXPERIENCED FIRST-HAND ABUSE OR LIVE IN A VIOLENT HOME ARE 200% MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMIZED AS ADULTS. AND BOYS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO BE PERPETRATORS OF ABUSE AS AN ADULT. 1 OUT OF 3 ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN, ARE LIKELY TO ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN. CREATINING A FAMILIAL CYCLE THAT PERPETUATES THE PROBLEM. IN 91% OF CASES WITH VIOLENCE, PARENTS ARE THE PERPETRATOR. 5 CHILDREN IN THE US DIE EVERY DAY DUE TO THE MALTREATMENTS THEY ENDURE. |
THE CYCLE OF ABUSE CONTINUES WHEN WE DON'T
protect kids
UNDERSTANDING ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES PROVIDE A BIG PICTURE PERSPECTIVE
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?
How is Adverse Childhood Trauma Measured?
Each type of trauma a child has experienced counts as one point in the ACEs testing. So a child who has been physically abused, with a drug addict parent who witnessed domestic violence and their parent's divorce has an ACEs score of four.
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Dies an Average of 20 Years Sooner
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4.5X as likely to become depressed,
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7X more likely to develop alcoholism
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10X more likely for drug abuse
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12X more likely to commit suicide
Why is the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Testing Beneficial?
FOSTERING INTERRUPTS THE CYCLE OF ABUSE SO THAT WE CAN
protect kids
Fostering is the FRONTLINE RESPONSE to children in our country who are suffering the horrors of abuse. We see their injustice on display within our national foster care system. Foster care is a governmental response that attempts to protect kids by DISRUPTING this damaging familial CYCLE so that the trajectory of a child's life can be changed. Because the system is fractured and faulty, children within foster care need loving caretakers, families, and advocates to care for and fight for them in purposeful ways. This requires preparation, training, and ongoing aid.
OUR PROGRAMS HELP THOSE ON THE FRONTLINES
 Family First |  Connected Child |  Courageous Caretakers |  Wonderful Workers |
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TOGETHER, WE ALL CAN
protect kids
SHARE
SERVE
