I think you're right about people not speaking out and keeping things behind closed doors 3SG! But having had to refer some of my students, reading court proceedings and watching the trial details etc on the news, it's becoming obvious from the evidence in a lot of cases that sadly, a good number of families are still covering thing up!
A lot of cases that should have been reported are not referred to the appropriate agencies while the abuse is happening, it is only usually when the child( sadly usually a baby) is taken to hospital because it's unconscious or for another serious injury, that the previous abuse comes to light!
Nowadays, day care centres and schools have suspected child abuse policies, and are picking up a lot that way, and referrals are mandatory. But very sad to say in some cases, the abuse has actually happened at Day Care and School, and by the very people that are supposed to be protecting the children from this sort of thing. It's becoming a sad world when you don't know who to trust with your children!
When I was teaching, I had to make a number of referrals to my Principal, who would check it out and pass it on to the authorities - it's an awful thing to have to do - giving evidence etc., but even worse to later know that others in the family, and friends-were aware of it!
