VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ARE IN A LIVING HELL, AND THEY ALL NEED IMMEDIATE HELP FROM A SOCIETY WHICH HAS TURNED ITS BACK ON THEM TOO MANY TIMES IN THE PAST. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IN FAMILY VIOLENCE, WITH MOST OF THE VICTIMS BEING TOO YOUNG, TO OLD, OR TOO TERRIFIED TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM OUTSIDE THEIR FAMILIES. THEIR BACKGROUND, BELIEFS, OR PERSONAL SHAME MAY ALSO KEEP THEM FROM SEEKING HELP. COURTS AND SOCIAL SERVICES MAY BE UNDERSTAFFED OR UNWILLING TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE ASSISTANCE IN CHANGING FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES. ALTHOUGH PERPETRATORS OF VIOLENCE MAY REALIZE THAT THEIR RAGE IS REALLY THAT RESULT OF INTERNAL CONFLICTS, THEY MAY NOT KNOW WHERE TO SEEK HELP. ONE GROUP WHICH CAN HELP IS PARENTS ANONYMOUS, WHICH SHOWS ABUSING PARENTS HOW TO AVOID SITUATIONS THAT MAY PROMPT TEMPER RAGES. TO PROTECT CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS ARE UNWILLING TO FIND AID, CONGRESS, PASSED THE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT OF 1974. THIS LAW PROVIDES FOR A SYSTEM OF DETECTION AND TREATMENT FOR ABUSED CHILDREN, BY REQUIRING THE REPORTING AND REGISTERING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, ANDD ASSIGNING THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY TO EACH CASE. MEDICAL OR FOSTER CARE MAY BE PROVIDED. PUNISHING THE PARENT RARELY SOLVES THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF THE ABUSE, AND TAKING A CHILD FROM ITS HOME MAY CAUSE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA. LOCAL COUNSELING AND THERAPY MAY BE MORE CONSTRUCTIVE METHODS OF PREVENTING FAMILY VIOLENCE. (TWK).