April - The Child Abuse Propaganda Month Falacy

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, otherwise referred to as Child Abuse Propaganda Month on Legally Kidnapped. Here we have one of those pinwheels for prevention articles that I need to rip on.

Pinwheels aim to elevate awareness of child abuse

Although this is one of those bullshit system suck articles, that seeks to inflate the appearance of the severity of the problem of child abuse and neglect, I need to point out an inaccuracy.

The third and 4th paragraphs in this article give us some facts.

Sandy Brookshire, chairperson of the Dare County Child Abuse Task Force (CATF), reports that abuse against children is on the rise. There were 46 more reports in 2010 than in 2009 and 161 more children were involved in abuse and neglect cases.

“In Dare County, there were 87 investigations for serious neglect and abuse involving 199 children,” Brookshire said. “There were 220 assessments for neglect involving 391 children.”

I will clarify the facts.

A. 46 more reports in 2010 than in 2009, involving 161 more children.

B. 87 investigations for neglect involving 199 children.

C. There were 220 assessments for neglect involving 391 children.

Lets examine these numbers a little more closely.

A. tells us that there were 46 more reports of child abuse or neglect in 2010 then there was in 2009. That typically means calls to the hotline. 161 more children were involved. Okay.

B. tells us that there were 87 investigations for serious neglect. Keyword being investigations.

C. tells us that there were 220 assessments for neglect involving 391 children. Keyword being assessments.

My question is this. How many of these cases were substantiated? Why don't they give us that number?

Because it wouldn't appear to be as major of a problem if they did that. It would show how often they investigate innocent parents. It would prove how much time and energy they waste on those who have done nothing wrong.

I'm not saying that there is no abuse or neglect out there. And although these numbers may very well be completely accurate, I'm just saying that they use the wrong set of numbers to make their case so that the problem appears to be worse than it actually is.

BTW, if you pay close enough attention, you will see this little trick played out all through Child Abuse Propaganda Month.