A total of 903,000 victims nationwide in 1998, 12.9 per 1000 children were abused (1) all because of child abuse. The 1998 total number of victims was a decrease from the 1997 total, however 903,000 is 903,000 too many. These numbers of victims are the ones reported, many more go unheard of or unreported. Child abuse isn't just physical, there are four main types of child abuse including physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect. Child abuse also has many effects on children. Some effects may result in death, disfigurement, and handicaps, physical and emotional development. Some effects may continue into adulthood and increase the potential for abusing their own children. Also, some things as brain damage, learning disabilities, and growth retardation have been found in abused children. There also many factors that comes about in the different types of child abuse.
             Any infliction of physical injury as a result of punching, kicking, burning, biting, pinching, shaking or otherwise harming a child is defined as physical abuse by the CAPTA, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. Physical abuse is most commonly thought of when heard the term abuse. 22.7% of 903,000 victims suffer from physical abuse (2). These types of physical abuse may not be
             intentional but may have resulted from over-discipline. For example, different forms of physical punishment like spanking can lead to physical abuse. Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome identifies another form of physical abuse, which is rare. This is when the responsible parent or caregiver gives their children un-needed medication, surgery or other medical procedures. When the parents suspect some sort of abuse James A. Monteleone M.D. says, "Any significant discrepancy between the physical findings and the history is a cardinal sign of abuse. If you find that the story you are being told does not match the injury you see, suspect abuse"(3). Most of the time di...