FACES Family Advocacy, Care, Education and Support Helping to prevent child abuse in the greater Denver Area

It would be virtually impossible to overstate the scope and consequences of child abuse and neglect in the United States today. Sadly, each year in Colorado alone, over 10,000 children are substantiated victims of abuse or neglect. On average, 35 Colorado children die each year because of child maltreatment. Children ages birth to 3 years had the highest rates of victimization.

A significant body of research has identified several risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect. They include depression/anxiety, substance abuse, domestic violence, a history of childhood abuse, poor-parent child interaction, and inaccurate knowledge and expectations about child development. Also community and societal factors such as poverty, unemployment, lack of access to medical care, social isolation and community violence have been found to be associated with child maltreatment.

These circumstances combined with the inherent challenges of raising children, can result in otherwise well-intentioned parents causing their children harm or neglecting their needs.

Long-term effects of child abuse and neglect can include:

• brain damage

• developmental delays and learning disorders
• problems with forming relationships
• aggressive behavior
• low academic achievement
• drug use
• teen pregnancy
• criminal behavior that affect not just the child and family, but society as a whole.