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6 Best Charities for Halloween to Help Abused Children and Animals
Though it is sad that we still live in a world with animal and child abuse – here are the best charities that I could find that provide aid to victims of animal and child abuse.
Facts About Child Abuse
- Approximately 5 children die every day because of child abuse.
- 1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach age 18.
- 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way. 68% are abused by a family member.
- Most children become victims of abuse and neglect at 18 months or younger.
- In 2010, 1,537 children died of abuse or neglect. 79.4% were under the age of 4 and 47.7% were under the age of 1.
- Boys (48.5%) and girls (51.2%) become victims at nearly the same rate.
- 3.6 million cases of child abuse are reported every year in the U.S.
- Abused and neglected children are 11 times more likely to engage in criminal behavior as an adult.
- About 80% of 21-year-olds who were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.
- 14% of all men and 36% of all women in prison were abused as children.
- Abused children are less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs. They’re also 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.
- For every incident of child abuse or neglect that’s reported, an estimated two incidents go unreported.
- Child abuse occurs across all socioeconomic levels, ethnic and cultural lines, and religions and education levels.
- Neglect, the most widespread form of child abuse, makes up more than 59% of abuse cases.
The shocking number of animal cruelty cases reported every day is just the tip of the iceberg—most cases are never reported. Unlike violent crimes against people, cases of animal abuse are not compiled by state or federal agencies, making it difficult to calculate just how common they are. However, we can use the information that is available to try to understand and prevent cases of abuse.
Who abuses animals?
Cruelty and neglect cross all social and economic boundaries and media reports suggest that animal abuse is common in both rural and urban areas.
- Intentional cruelty to animals is strongly correlated with other crimes, including violence against people.
- Hoarding behavior often victimizes animals. Sufferers of a hoarding disorder may impose severe neglect on animals by housing far more than they are able to adequately take care of. Serious animal neglect (such as hoarding) is often an indicator of people in need of social or mental health services.
- Surveys suggest that those who intentionally abuse animals are predominantly men under 30, while those involved in animal hoarding are more likely to be women over 60.
Most common victims
The animals whose abuse is most often reported are dogs, cats, horses and livestock. Undercover investigations have revealed that animal abuse abounds in the factory farm industry. But because of the weak protections afforded to livestock under state cruelty laws, only the most shocking cases are reported, and few are ever prosecuted.
Correlation with domestic violence
Data on domestic violence and child abuse cases reveal that a staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses.
- There are approximately 70 million pet dogs and 74.1 million pet cats in the U.S. where 20 men and women are assaulted per minute (an average of around 10 million a year).
- In one survey, 71 % of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted pets.
- In one study of families under investigation for suspected child abuse, researchers found that pet abuse had occurred in 88 % of the families under supervision for physical abuse of their children.
To put a stop to this pattern of violence, the Humane Society Legislative Fund supported the Pets and Women’s Safety (PAWS) Act, introduced to Congress in 2015 as H.R. 1258 and S.B. 1559 and enacted as part of the farm bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in 2018. Once fully enacted, the PAWS Act helps victims of domestic abuse find the means to escape their abusers while keeping their companion animals safe—many victims remain in abusive households for fear of their pets’ safety.
State legislative trends
The HSUS has long led the push for stronger animal cruelty laws and provides training for law officials to detect and prosecute these crimes. With South Dakota joining the fight in March of 2014, animal cruelty laws now include felony provisions in all 50 states.
First vs. subsequent offense
Given that a fraction of animal cruelty acts are reported or successfully prosecuted, we are committed to supporting felony convictions in cases of severe cruelty.
- 49 states have laws to provide felony penalties for animal torture on the first offense.
- Only Iowa doesn’t have such a law.
- Animal cruelty laws typically cover intentional and egregious animal neglect and abuse.
Changes in federal tracking
On January 1, 2016, the FBI added cruelty to animals as a category in the Uniform Crime Report, a nationwide crime reporting system commonly used in homicide investigations. While only about a third of U.S. communities currently participate in the system, the data generated will help create a clearer picture of animal abuse and guide strategies for intervention and enforcement. Data collection covers four categories: simple/gross neglect, intentional abuse and torture, organized abuse (such as dogfighting and cockfighting) and animal sexual abuse.
Halloween Best Charities, a Time to Stop the Evil Demons of Abuse!
Abuse is a scary and haunting event in huma nature – and it can lead to many troubled things down the road. Make a difference on Halloween and consider donating these best charities that help protect from and prevent abuse!!
Child Abuse Best Charities
Animal Abuse Best Charities
- The Humane Society of the United States| End suffering for all animals
- Animal Car Donation – Help Animals In Need
- Home – American Humane – American Humane
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