Child Abuse In The Victorian Era

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Throughout the Victorian Era Child abuse was rampant. Middle school age children were allowed to smoke and drink alcohol, as seen in the novel Oliver Twist “four or five boys, none older than the Dodger, smoking long clay pipes, and drinking spirits with the air of middle-aged men” (Dickens 84). Children had to work in workhouses as early as 10, and were beaten when they did not work. Kids that work for chimney sweeps were forced into thin chimneys and had fires lit under them to get them out. Even the rich kids were abused. They were raised by nannies and not loved by their parents.

Presently child abuse is undoubtedly a common issue, as a report of child abuse is filed every ten seconds, with 3.6 referrals made to child protection agency's