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Finally, while over 50% of reported cases of child abuse cannot be substantiated, there is also anecdotal evidence of an opposing tendency for some of the worst kinds of child abuse to be underreported; for example sexual abuse of children, which often involves family members and carries a high degree of public disapproval. In such areas, statistics may show only the tip of the iceberg due to reluctance of children to report such crimes and the unwillingness of child advocates to run the risk of serious legal retaliation by defendants if complaints of abuse cannot be fully substantiated.

THE PREVALENCE OF CRIME

Let’s examine some of the more reliable information available from various sources, to sketch the dimensions of the problem of child safety.

FAMILY VIOLENCE

Figures show that the American family is increasingly violent: offenders tend to come from within the family and circle of acquaintances of the victim, and the predominant causes seems to be domestic disputes or arguments,

CHILDREN AND CRIME: Victims and Perpetrators