Child Abuse: History, Laws and the A.S.P.C.A

From a historical perspective, child abuse has plaguedFrom 1870 to 1930, more than 8000 children were
society since the beginning of time. Two rights havetaken from the streets of Dublin and London, then
been at the core of child abuse: the right to ownshipped overseas to Canadian homes where they
property, and the right to own children.In ancientwere beaten, demeaned and forced to labour on
Rome, fathers had absolute authority over theirfarms and in factories, all in the name of 'shaping'
children. They alone decided which of their childrentheir young charges. In fact, these young people
lived or died. Children born deformed, disabled, or inwere nothing more than slaves.In the late 1800s, a
any way outside of what was considered normal,church worker named Etta Wheeler forever changed
children born of the 'wrong' gender, namely girls whenthe face of parental authority in North America.During
boys were far more desirable, would be killed.a family visit, Mrs. Wheeler discovered 11-year-old
Fathers had the right to maim and brutalize theirMary-Ellen, the step-daughter of the woman casually
children without fear of retribution. Harsh disciplineentertaining Mrs. Wheeler, shackled to her bed and
was deemed necessary to mold the child into mindful,badly beaten. Too tiny and ill-formed for her 11 years,
contributing human beings.In England, children asit was quite evident Mary-Ellen was also grossly
young as 5 years old were shackled and forced tomalnourished. Some of her scars were visibly healed
work 16-hour-days in inhumane conditions of minesover, giving a clear picture of long-term and sustained
and factories. Cruel overseers frequently goadedchild abuse.Appalled by what she saw, Mrs. Wheeler
these little children with whips and prods.Canada mustreported the severe and obvious abuse and neglect
also be accountable for its part in child abuse history.to the authorities.