Human Maltreatment

I just read an article on the CBS News website that a 73 year old Australian father had been holding his daughter captive for 24 years until last night.  Authorities searched and searched for her, as this man kept the grueling secret that he was the actual one holding her captive.  Throughout these 24 years, this woman gave birth to 6 children, who are suspected to have been conceived by her father, as he raped her numerous times.  You can read the article at this website: http://cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/27/world/main4048458.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_4048458.  I found this article interesting, not only because of how shocking it is, but also because we just wrapped up a chapter on child abuse and neglect in my Development Psychology class.  Although this woman was not a child, the concept is similar, because her father was the one abusing her.  Child abuse is horrible, and sadly not uncommon.  It is reported that about 900,000 child maltreatment cases are reported annually.  Of these 900,00 cases, 60% of them are considered neglect, 20% physical abuse, 10% sexual abuse, and 10% emotional abuse.  Although this case would not have been reported as child maltreatment, this woman would have been considered neglected, physically abused, sexually abused, and most likely emotionally abused.  Girls are four times more likely than boys to be sexually abused, like this woman was.  It's sad that people could treat others with such disrespect.  You would think people who acted with such awful behavior would be considered to have a mental disorder, but studies have shown that these people are 100% normal, they just took a wrong turn.  You should definitely read this news article.