"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18:6).

Abuse is the physical, emotional, sexual, or spiritual mistreatment of others. Recent statistics have shown an alarming increase in incidences of child, spousal, and elderly abuse. As a result there has been an increasing emphasis on education, prevention, and intervention. Abuse of children has come to be seen as a major social problem and a main cause of prolonged suffering and maladjustment. Abuse of any kind has long-lasting effects on the victim and the family.