Foster children are at a higher risk of abuse than their peers not in this setting. A John Hopkins University study of a group of foster children in Maryland found that children in foster care are four times more likely to be sexually abused than their peers not in this setting, and children in group homes are 28 times more likely to be abused.

Sexual abuse can occur in any situation, but when coupled with the routine vulnerabilities experienced by children in the foster care system, its likelihood increases. Children in foster care are vulnerable in group homes and foster homes but in different ways, as they have differences in supervision and guardian relationships.

A significant mental health concern among foster youth is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); researchers have reported that 20 percent of abused children in foster care experienced symptoms of PTSD versus the 11 percent that remained in their original home.

PLEASE SIGN AND HELP ME BRING AWARENESS TO THE CHANGES NEEDED IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE INNOCENT CHILDREN WHO ARE LOST IN THE SYSTEM WITH NO LOVE AND GUIDENCE. TREATED LIKE PRISONERS AS IF BEING ABUSED AND BEING TOOK AWAY FROM FAMILY WAS NOT HARD AS IS THEY ARE SENT TO FOSTERS AND GROUP HOMES WITH THE SAME LACK OF LOVE AND GUIDANCE CHILDREN NEED. WHY DO WE MAKE THEM FEEL INSITUTIONALIZED. THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. I'M ASKING YALL TO SIGN AND HELP ME GET THE GOVT ATTENTION TO MEET WITH ME FOR THIS CHANGE. AND ANYONE ELSE WHO IS READY TO BAND TOGETHER TO HELP THESE CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY.