Sylvia Likens

Sylvia Likens was an American girl who was brutally abused and murdered by her caretaker, Gertrude Baniszewski, in 1965. Her case drew widespread attention and led to changes in the way child abuse cases are handled. Likens was a shy and introverted girl who was forced to endure physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Baniszewski and her family. Her story has been the subject of several books, films, and documentaries. Likens is remembered as a victim of senseless violence and a symbol of the need for greater awareness and support for victims of child abuse.