Child abuse affects many young children all over the world. Many victims tend to stay silent about the abuse, fearing that the situation in their home could get worse. Community members sometimes feel like something is wrong in a particular household and refuse to report it to authorities because the situation does not directly affect them. Child abuse has lasting consequences that can continue to haunt the victim long after the abuse. The effects of child maltreatment can manifest throughout childhood, adolescence or adulthood and can affect an individual's development in many forms, including physical, cognitive, psychological and behavioral (Brière, 1992). People who have been affected by child abuse may suffer from the effects of child abuse. such as low self-esteem which could manifest itself in the decisions they make in simple everyday life. Children who are victims of abuse may also suffer from effects such as physical injuries and attention problems. Victims of abuse tend to have difficulty maintaining long-term relationships with other people. They also exhibit extremely violent and aggressive behaviors and attitudes that could result in death. The effects of child abuse among individuals were studied to see how child abuse would have affected their lifestyle. These people studied did not come from a middle or upper class lifestyle. Behavioral patterns of people in prisons and mental health patients were considered because these characteristics could arise from child abuse. These people exhibit serious behaviors that could be the result of child abuse. (e.g. poverty, parental substance abuse and domestic violence). Notably, the nature and extent of negative effects on victims may be influenced by the availability of support from parents, relatives, professionals and may therefore play an essential role in prevention and/or early intervention to remedy potential problems (Brière, 1992). Studies have documented the link between abuse and a range of physical, emotional, mental and behavioral problems. Child abuse has tragic consequences and society also pays a high monetary cost. The cost of child maltreatment includes both direct costs (those associated with the immediate needs of the abused child) and indirect costs (those associated with secondary and long-term effects). It is important to note that some forms of child abuse go unrecognized and it is difficult to determine the extent of abuse and therefore it is not possible to determine the true cost of child abuse. (Brière, 1992).