Loma Linda University Program Looks at Child Abuse at 7p Dec. 10 on KVCR

Loma Linda University officials on Monday were touting the latest episode of the school's video series, Loma Linda 360, titled "End it Now: A Look into Preventing Child Abuse."

The episode was scheduled to air at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 on KVCR Channel 24 in the San Bernardino and Riverside areas, university spokeswoman Briana Pastorino said.

Part of the episode focuses on Amanda Marsh, 21, who was a victim of child abuse during most of her teen years, Pastorino said.

"There is definitely hope," Amanda said. "It's hard to see it when you're being abused. It's hard to think there is life after it, because it's all you've known for a while. There's a way to have a normal life and normal relationships."

One in four girls and one in six boys are molested by the age of 18 in the United States, Pastorino said.

There are roughly three million claims of child abuse made every year, one million of which end up to be legitimate cases, Pastorino said.

"The problem grows ever stronger because people refuse to acknowledge that there is an issue," Marie Dawson, coordinator of the child protection center at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, said in a prepared statement. "As long as the problem goes unvoiced there's nothing to stop it."

For more information about Loma Linda 360 visit www.lomalinda360.com.

Established in 1905, Loma Linda University Health is billed as a Seventh-day Adventist organization with a mission "to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ."

Follow Redlands-Loma Linda Patch on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for the free daily newsletter here.