Definitely. In an ideal world, teachers and doctors, those who are most in contact with children, would know the signs better than anyone except social workers, but they don't. They're also afraid parents will sue, and kids can't sue.

Beyond that, I've stood up for abused kids before, reported the abuse to social workers or to my supervisors at work. Often, nothing happens. Even really obvious cases, like domestic abuse and alcoholism in the home, don't necessarily result in immediate action to remove or protect the child.

The entire system is disheartening.