ics of sexual abuse offenders are; dependent, inadequate individuals with early family histories characterized by conflict, disruption, abandonment, abuse, and exploitation.
             In 1997, over 3 million children were reported for child abuse and neglect to child protective service agencies in the U.S.. These figures have gone up from year to year approximately 1.7% per year. Since 1985, the rate of child abuse fatalities has increased by 34%. Of these fatalities, 78% were children under the age of 5. 38% were under one year of age. The top 6 causes of child abuse listed were: 1. Drug addiction 2. Poverty 3. A violent society 4. A lack of community ties 5. A family history of violence 6. Lack of parenting skills.
             The information obtained in this research paper was drawn mostly from various internet web-sites. I read all of the pertinent issues related to this topic. All sides of the issue were accounted for. For example; stories, facts, & figures as they are told by adults, the children, law enforcers, law makers, the accused, the falsely accused etc. This information then had to be sorted out according to what was fact, and what was opinion. I was looking mostly for law related issues, and I received a lot of other valuable pieces of information along the way. I pieced the information together in a way that I felt would make sense to a reader who was trying to get a good general understanding about child abuse laws.
             LITERATURE REVIEW CONCLUSIONS AND FINDINGS
             One valuable source of information pertained to the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law (established in 1978). Its mission was to try to help improve children's lives through advances in law, justice, knowledge, practice, and public policy. Its work includes such jobs as; strengthening laws, policies, and judicial procedures affecting children, and increasing public awareness of law and justice related to children. ...