For about a month now I’ve been advising many of you that I’ll soon be asking a favor. Thankfully you’ve not only patient but openly generous enough to say ‘yes’ without even asking what it was that I would ask of you. Thank you for that. This is that moment. I ask that you read this information through to the end and act on it in whatever way your conscience dictates. Thank you. Some startling statistics: In 2006 – 1. Three-quarters (75.9%) of child fatalities were caused by one or more parent. 2. 83% of victims are abused by parents or other family members. 3. Over 900000 incidents of child abuse were reported. 4. It is estimated that this is only 1/3 of actual abuse cases that took place that year. 5. Every day it is estimated that 4 children die from abuse or neglect. 78% Of these fatalities occur in children UNDER the age of 4. 6. 48% of child abuse victims are boys, 51% are girls. 7. Child abuse knows no gender bias, no racial lines, no socioeconomic boundaries. 8. In 2006 – there were 78120 documented cases of sexual child abuse, and 142041 documented cases of physical abuse. (remember this is an estimated 1/3 of actual cases). 9. Of the reported number of rapes of children under the age of 12; 90% (NINETY PERCENT) KNEW the perpetrator. 10. Nearly 2/3 of people in treatment for drug abuse report being abused as children. 11. 1/3 of abused/neglected children will later do the same, perpetuating the cycle. 12. Children who expeirence abuse and neglect are 30% more …