Final answer:
The statement provided is false, as 7.6 percent of child abuse cases involve sexual abuse, with the majority of perpetrators being parents or relatives. There are multiple reasons why abuse might not be reported, and interventions are important in addressing and preventing child abuse, especially for the most vulnerable, such as infants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement '23% of reported cases of child sexual abuse are perpetrated by individuals' is false. According to Child Help 2011 data, only 7.6 percent of child abuse cases involve sexual abuse, which is a much smaller proportion than the figure stated in the question. Furthermore, the majority of perpetrators are parents, accounting for 81.2 percent, with an additional 6.2 percent being other relatives. This information underscores that children are often abused by those close to them and depend on, making child abuse a deeply personal and traumatic experience.
There are multiple reasons why victims may not report abuse to the authorities, including considering it a private matter, fear of retaliation, protection of the abuser, or a belief that the police won't take effective action. In cases of infant neglect, factors such as cultural values, community standards of care, and poverty can contribute to poor parenting practices, leading to intervention from child welfare services.
It is essential to recognize the widespread issue of child abuse and understand that awareness, accurate reporting, and intervention are critical in protecting vulnerable children and addressing child sexual abuse.