Scanning the July 6th Richmond Times-Dispatch, I read a news brief about a Massachuesetts man accused of biting the lip and ear of his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter. He pleaded not guilty. His girlfriend, who was charged with permitting substantial injures for allowing him to do it, also pleaded not guilty. Both were held without bond.

The same day, there was the story on early morning TV news shows about an 11-year-old girl in Orange Beach, Ala., who was charged with, among other things, driving under the influence of alcohol. Police reportedly chased her at speeds of 100 mph. She crashed the car, surviving with minor injuries, telling police she was driving to pick up her sister at a concert.

In the first example - how could a responsible and loving parent allow her or his child to be abused- In the second - where and why would a responsible and loving parent permit two sisters (the age of the concert-going sister wasn't given) to have use of a car-

Your first thought involving the 11-year-old and her sister is about their parents or parent. Additional questions come to mind in the second example. For instance, who provided alcohol to an 11-year-old and taught her to drive- More importantly, where and what were their parents or parent doing- The article didn't give details, but I've a feeling the parents will be, at minimum, questioned - probably charged.

At one time, the Valley was immune to unimaginable acts of violence and mayhem that occurs in other places like those mentioned above. The Valley was just a laid-back, relaxing and friendly place where crazy and terrible acts happened to others on the outside.

Forty years ago, and probably before then, Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro had its share of alcohol and drug problems and gang activity. However, incidents of it didn't come close to matching what goes on today. Currently, the scale of substance abuse and viciousness of gang activity is, in a word, scary.

Weekly, Valley TV shows and newspapers report that our children are being abused or neglected often due to their parents' or guardians' involvement with alcohol or drugs. Those cases we know of, but what about the ones that aren't reported-

Years ago in I worked with two ladies who were involved with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). It's an organization of volunteers that works with and for abused children.

I don't know if either woman still works with the local chapter, but the stories they told us at the lunch table were horrible.
For example, there were children that came to school showing signs of physical abuse - cigarette burn marks or welts from beatings.

I don't recall discussions about child sexual abuse, but there had to have been cases of it.

Just as more and more reports of both sexual and physical abuse become known in big and small towns and cities across America, you can believe the Valley is no different.

Hopefully, when and if it's suspected, it's reported.

Nelson Graves writes a weekly column for The News Virginian. He is Western Virginia director of the Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council. E-mail him at .