NCJ Number
145425
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 17 Issue: 5 Dated: (September-October 1993) Pages: 687-690
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A program established in Rennes, France to provide prenatal risk assessment and treatment for potential child abuse followed 360 psychosocially distressed pregnant women between 1984 and 1987.
Abstract
The Department of Assistance to Distressed Mothers-to- be (SAFED) was established within the University Hospital of Rennes. A social worker interviewed each woman to provide information and assess the woman's attitude toward the pregnancy and her ability to care for her child. Clients were offered educational and psychological assistance both during and after pregnancy. Among the 348 women for whom data were available, almost three-fourths were isolated and had no personal income. Among the 95.5 percent who chose to continue their pregnancy, 221 wished to keep their child and 119 intended to release their child for adoption. Fifty- seven of these eventually decided to keep their child. After 6 months, an assessment of 278 children revealed that 71 were receiving routine follow-up; 145 were in temporary foster care or an intensive educational program; and 62 were under court jurisdiction, had been abandoned, or were considered to be in danger. Reassessment when the children were age 4 revealed that more than one-third of the children were considered to be in danger. Prenatal and postnatal intervention with these young women is often difficult; coordination among all the organizations involved is essential. Evaluation is important but difficult for practical and ethical reasons.