Know the Truth : 

There are nearly 3 million cases of abuse reported nationally each year, according to the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse. In the State of Tennessee there were over 38,000 cases reported last year, or 104 children every day! In Tennessee, more children suffer neglect than any other form of maltreatment. Investigations determined that approximately 41% of the cases reported were for neglect, 16% were reported for physical abuse, 24% for sexual abuse, 1% for emotional abuse and 18% for other forms of maltreatment.

Staggering as those statistics are - it is all too easy to view this as "someone else's problem" as we continue on with our daily routine. But you have only to look into the eyes of one of these children, for their pain to become your pain.

The Consequences

• Although they are helpless victims, children often feel responsible for the actions of those around them . . . feeling guilty that they are such a burden or trying desperately to be "good."
• When children are abused by people who are supposed to love them, they learn that abuse is inherent in intimate relationships. Those who survive child abuse are more likely to experience depression, engage in violent behavior, have delayed academic achievement, and develop an impaired sense of moral values.
• These effects are not limited to childhood; they linger to impact adulthood as well. Those who are abused as children are far more likely to become abusers themselves.
• The mission of the center is to provide support to families in preventing and dealing with child abuse in West Tennessee and to help both parents and children meet practical needs of preserving and improving the quality of family life.

The Goal (Breaking the Cycle)

• Since we learn to be parents from the way we were parented, abuse often becomes a tragic cycle - one that will continue to ruin lives for generations unless we break the cycle and help the children who have already been hurt.
• The Center strives to help parents and children deal with abuse when it has already occurred, to prevent further abuse, and to provide support and training to families where a potential for abuse exists.