Comparing US vs Latin America // Child Abuse

I do not know how many of you get the newspaper... my wife will tell you I am one of few people my age who read it on a regular basis. But one thing struck me yesterday. On one page of yesterday's Chicago Tribune three of the attached four articles were on the same page.

One question I get a lot is, "Why aren't you working here in the US? There are children in horrible circumstances down the street, facing physical and sexual abuse, negelect, etc."
This is a tough question because it is true children are suffering around the world. For the most part here in the United States these children have advocates fighting for them: teachers report physical abuse, police respond to domestic violence, local governments have taken a stand for children. On the other hand in developing countries the cries of these children often go unheard.

As an example of this it is reported that 80,000 babies die of physical abuse in Latin America and has a population of 569 million. 80,000!

It is estimated that similar deaths in the US total 1,200 (population 304 million).



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Aug 5 Chicago Tribune
Aurora woman gets 9 years for abusing son, 3
Tribune staff report
...in June to one count of aggravated battery to a child and two counts of domestic abuse. She was sentenced July 29 by Kane County Judge...at the insistence of her boyfriend, brought the child to a hospital two days later for treatment. ...
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August 5, 2009 |story
Mich. man, 31, arrested in sex assault on boy, 11
Associated Press
...was arrested Wednesday. The charges including first-degree criminal sexual conduct stem from a report of an assault on the child on July 11. The man was being held in the Clare County jail. He faces up to life in prison if convicted. Harrison...
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August 5, 2009 |story
Ind. officer accused of taping sex acts with girl
Associated Press
...2008. Forty-five-year-old Lawrence Ross Frame was charged Wednesday with possession of child pornography and five counts of production of child pornography. He faces 15 to 30 years in prison on each production count and up to 10 years...
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August 5, 2009 |story
SC man charged in Iowa baby's death seeks delay
Associated Press
A former Iowa City man accused of killing his infant son nearly four years ago wants his trial delayed. Brian...trouble breathing at Dykstra's home in Iowa City. The child was taken to a hospital and died the next day. Dykstra wasn...
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